Nairobi, Kenya – 3 March 2026 – Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, oversaw the signing of Intergovernmental Participatory Agreements (IPAs) under the Building Resilient and Responsive Health Systems (BREHS) Project, signaling a major step forward in cooperation between national and county governments to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
During the event, the CS reiterated that healthcare access is both a constitutional entitlement and a core duty of the state. Referring to Article 43(1)(a) of the Constitution, he emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that all citizens—irrespective of location, income level, gender, age, or vulnerability—receive equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare services.
He also recognized the ongoing support of the World Bank, highlighting its important contribution to strengthening Kenya’s health system and improving health outcomes nationwide.
The BREHS Project, set to run from 31 January 2025 through 30 June 2029, aims to enhance both the quality and use of primary healthcare services while building institutional capacity at national and county levels. Covering all 47 counties, the initiative prioritizes community and primary healthcare, where most people first access medical services.
As part of Component 2, the project will assist counties in improving access to essential Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) and boosting service delivery at primary healthcare facilities. A key focus is on Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCA), particularly in ten priority counties: Kilifi, Kwale, Narok, Homa Bay, West Pokot, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Turkana, and Tana River.
The programme seeks to fast-track reductions in maternal mortality, curb adolescent pregnancies, increase access to family planning, and strengthen care for newborns and children, ensuring healthier beginnings for all.
Additionally, the initiative will improve healthcare access in refugee camps and surrounding communities, especially in Garissa and Turkana, to better serve vulnerable populations.
CS Duale described the agreement signing as a reflection of shared accountability and stronger collaboration across levels of government, urging all involved parties to focus on effective and timely implementation to achieve meaningful improvements in public health.
The ceremony was attended by key officials, including the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, COG Health Committee Chairperson Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir, World Bank representative Dr. Elizabeth Wangia, along with several governors, deputy governors, and senior Ministry of Health representatives.
