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Following talks with pediatric experts, he emphasised strengthening healthcare systems, expanding access, and reducing preventable deaths, as the government accelerates reforms under Universal Health Coverage and the Taifa Care Model.
The hospital described him as a long-serving admitting consultant who earned respect for his professionalism, medical expertise, and commitment to patients over many years of practice.
Officials in Nairobi received a Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) inspection team at NCI-Kenya headquarters to assess venue, logistics and preparedness for the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2027.
Senators say the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, and related bodies have struggled to align on implementation of agreements and staffing plans, leaving major gaps in the system and slowing down reforms that affect thousands of health workers.
According to the report, 11,605 girls aged between 10 and 14 attended their first antenatal clinic visit in 2025, up from 10,126 in 2024. This represents a 14.6 per cent increase in pregnancies within this age group.
Health CS Aden Duale says talks with the European Investment Bank will expand a solar and battery programme targeting 2,000 facilities nationwide, starting with a pilot at Kenyatta National Hospital to improve service continuity.
President William Ruto announced a partnership with Amsons Group to construct 10 mother and child hospitals in Kenya. Amsons will fund construction while the government provides land, equipment and health personnel, supporting Universal Health Coverage.
Kenya says it will integrate traditional and complementary medicine into its national health system to strengthen primary healthcare and universal health coverage. Dr Ouma Oluga said the approach will use policy, regulation, quality assurance and referral linkages.
MPs noted that the shift from the National Health Insurance Fund to the Social Health Authority has created new challenges for cancer patients, especially in accessing consistent and affordable treatment. The House was told that Kenya records about 44,000 new cancer cases every year, with over 29,000 deaths, with breast, cervical, and prostate cancers being the most common.
Board member Eric Ooko said he only became aware of the State House engagement after President Ruto publicly criticised the hospital leadership during a rally in Cheptais, Mount Elgon, where he referred to board members as “fraudsters, charlatans and conmen”
The Social Health Authority, Ministry of Health and KNUT agreed measures to address POMSF operational challenges for teachers’ medical scheme, including last expense processing, overseas treatment, IVF coverage and a ban on out-of-pocket payments.
In a Radio Generation interview on Tuesday, Willow Health Media CEO Dr. Mercy Korir said accurate health information helps people seek proper care, while misinformation can push them to unsafe alternatives.
Data from the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa and Kenya Medical Research Institute shows Kenya introduced a single-dose HPV vaccine in 2025 to improve coverage. However, vaccination levels remain low, with only about 30% of girls fully vaccinated and some areas reporting less than 1% uptake, mainly due to poor awareness, misinformation and limited access.
Dr. Oria said doctors are often forced to rely on treatment approaches developed outside the country, without enough local evidence to guide decisions.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Tuesday, Dr. Oria explained that the illness originates deep within the body’s genetic makeup, where normal cell processes break down.
Speaking Monday in Nairobi at the World Health Summit Regional Meeting, President Ruto urged African governments to take primary responsibility for health financing and reforms, warning donor dependence and fragmented systems are weakening resilience.
Senior mental health expert Dr. Lukoye Atwoli told the World Health Summit Regional Meeting in Nairobi that African health systems face unprecedented strain from funding cuts, climate shocks and supply chain fragility, urging enforceable commitments.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Monday, Dr. Abdi said SHA “payout is around 80%,” noting that the current system is performing better in settling claims compared to its predecessor.
Social Health Authority chair Dr. Abdi Mohamed says teachers’ medical cover was transferred to SHA to save costs and expand access from about 800 to 10,000 facilities, while curbing misuse and fraudulent claims.
Kirinyaga, which hosted this year’s national World Malaria Day celebrations, has also strengthened its surveillance capacity through a reference laboratory that supports faster detection and response to emerging cases.
The Controller of Budget notes that the accumulation of unpaid claims has slowed essential operations in hospitals, including procurement of drugs and medical supplies, affecting service delivery at the county level.
Health CS Aden Duale said the private sector is central to Kenya’s health reforms and Universal Health Coverage, citing SHA disbursements of Sh137.4 billion. He also warned against malpractice and outlined financing, supply chain and digital reforms.
Global health diplomacy adviser Nicholas Muraguri, speaking on Radio Generation, says Africa’s recovery from COVID-19 remains uneven. He urges local vaccine production, resilient supply chains, and stronger health systems as a national security and economic priority.
Dr. Abdihamid said age and gender are the strongest risk factors, with family history also playing a role in increasing vulnerability. He stressed that routine screening is key to detecting the disease early, particularly through the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
Under the arrangement, Sh300,000 last expense payments for deceased principal members are now ready, with the Ministry confirming that all verified claims have been processed and will be released.
Public Health PS Mary Muthoni said the country already has enough knowledge and tools to deal with malaria, but weak execution on the ground is slowing down progress.
In a joint communiqué issued on April 23, the Ministry of Health, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS) announced immediate measures to restore access to healthcare under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF), following weeks of disruptions and complaints.
Acting KNH Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe said the hospital has begun putting in place measures to ensure that patients are not held back after treatment due to financial hardship.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health says malaria incidence fell by 5% between 2023 and 2025 and mortality dropped by 32% while preparing for 2026 World Malaria Day. The ministry launched updated diagnosis and treatment guidelines and new surveillance tools.
Duale said the anomalies uncovered by the digital platform show coordinated schemes involving individuals, clinicians and private hospitals seeking to manipulate claims.