Health CS Aden Duale Calls for Increased Public Health Funding in 2026/2027 Budget
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has urged Parliament to increase funding for public health, citing the need to strengthen Taifa Care, improve disease surveillance, and protect critical programmes such as immunization.
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has appealed for increased investment in Kenya’s public health sector to strengthen healthcare services and support the government’s push towards Universal Health Coverage through the Taifa Care programme.
Speaking while presenting the 2026/2027 Financial Year Revenue and Expenditure Estimates for the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, Duale said stronger financing is necessary to address growing healthcare demands across the country.
The session was chaired by Seme MP James Nyikal.
Duale said the Ministry of Health is working closely with development partners and other stakeholders to implement the Taifa Care Model, which prioritizes preventive and promotive healthcare, policy reforms, regulation, sector coordination, and delivery of key health programmes under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“Our focus remains on strengthening preventive and promotive healthcare while ensuring effective coordination and delivery of quality health services under Taifa Care,” said Duale.
The Cabinet Secretary stressed that adequate staffing in health facilities and a steady supply of essential medical commodities are vital in improving healthcare services and achieving Universal Health Coverage.
“Investment in human resources for health and uninterrupted access to essential medical supplies are critical if we are to improve service delivery and achieve better health outcomes for Kenyans,” he added.
Duale further warned that the country continues to face increasing pressure from emerging diseases and other public health threats, which he said require more funding for disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, sanitation, hygiene, and wider health sector reforms.
“The rising burden of disease and emerging health threats continue to stretch our healthcare system. Increased budgetary support is needed to strengthen emergency response mechanisms and public health interventions,” he noted.
The Health CS also urged lawmakers to protect key health programmes, especially immunization initiatives, from budget reductions during supplementary budget reviews.
“We must safeguard critical interventions such as immunization programmes to preserve the gains we have made in protecting the health and wellbeing of Kenyans,” Duale said.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, alongside ministry directors, chief executive officers, and technical experts.
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