Hard truths. Bold Insights. Real talk.
Silverstein, an American-born cardiologist trained at the University of Chicago, arrived in Kenya in 1974 after completing his cardiology fellowship in Seattle. He had initially expected to spend only a short period in the country, but eventually made Kenya his home and built a medical career spanning more than five decades
The latest preparedness measures come amid continued Ebola transmission concerns in the region. The World Health Organization said on September 9 that Kenya had recorded no case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus, while Uganda's outbreak was declared over on August 26. The Democratic Republic of Congo, however, continued to report transmission, while thousands of people cross Kenya's western border each day
The President said the country’s health challenge was not only a shortage of hospitals but also gaps in the availability of essential services where they are most needed.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the facilities will form part of the Mother and Child Lifeline Initiative and will be established in Nairobi, Bomet, Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu and West Pokot.
The move comes as herbal medicine continues to play an important role in healthcare, particularly among communities where traditional health practitioners remain an early source of treatment.
The Global Association of Clinical Officers and Physician Associates (GACOPA) expressed particular concern over reports that a female Clinical Officer was injured during the demonstration and suffered a fracture of the humeral shaft that required surgical intervention.
The union Secretary General Seth Panyako made the announcement on Wednesday following a meeting with the Council of Governors, ending the industrial action that had disrupted health services in several parts of the country.
Kenya has recorded a sharp drop in new HIV infections over the past decade, with figures from the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council showing an 82% decline between 2015 and 2025. New infections fell from 77,647 in 2015 to 13,936 in 2025. Despite the progress, Rachel said young people continued to carry a large share of the HIV burden.
PS Muthoni said young people aged 10 to 34 accounted for 72 per cent of all new adult HIV infections recorded in 2025, while more than 236,000 girls aged between 10 and 19 faced pregnancy.
Speaking on NTV on Wednesday, Panyako said the CBA was ready for implementation in 18 counties before the CoG moved to stop the process, arguing that the dispute has persisted because of personal interests and poor prioritisation of the health sector.
The authority said it is seeking input from healthcare providers, facilities, their representative bodies and other interested stakeholders as it prepares to enter into new agreements with facilities that meet inspection, licensing and certification requirements.
KUCO Deputy Secretary General Austin Otieno Oduor says unfulfilled agreements remain the main reason clinical officers continue to take industrial action, with differences between counties creating unequal working conditions for health workers.
KUCO General Secretary and CEO Gibore Maroah said the officers had notified police before holding the demonstration, raising concern over how the attack was allowed to happen despite the authorities being informed in advance.
Addressing journalists on Monday, KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Devji Atella said the more than 40-day industrial action had severely disrupted services in public hospitals, leaving doctors under increasing pressure and patients exposed to preventable complications and deaths.
The concern was raised in Nairobi on Sunday, where about 200 healthcare professionals from referral centres, private hospitals and private practices gathered to discuss the growing burden of metabolic diseases and the need for earlier intervention.
The Ministry of Health is working with the Department for Citizen Services through the National Registration Bureau and the Department for Correctional Services as part of the joint effort to register all inmates.
The Commission said it was especially concerned by reports of deaths during the strike, with maternal, neonatal and perinatal cases among those reported.
Head of clinical services, Equity Afya Umoja Dr Risper Wanjeri Irungu said hearing damage often happens gradually, meaning many people may not realise their hearing is being affected until the problem becomes serious.
The CS said the rules should not be interpreted as preventing diploma holders from practising, explaining that they instead make a distinction between pharmacy professionals working in healthcare facilities and those appointed to take overall responsibility for a pharmacy facility.
The association said the continued disruption of public health services was putting patients, especially vulnerable groups, at risk and could undermine progress made towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Oluga said the shift meant Kenya could no longer depend on appeals to wealthy countries to fund programmes targeting diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV.
State Department for Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga says the government has allocated Sh19 billion to primary healthcare, with greater emphasis being placed on preventing diseases and detecting health risks before they develop into serious and expensive conditions
The number of perinatal deaths, involving children aged zero to 20 weeks, stood at 3,854 by August 31, making it the highest of the three categories tracked by the ministry.
Speaking during a Radio Generation interview on Wednesday, Oluga said Kenya has for years relied heavily on bilateral and multilateral partners to finance programmes covering HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal health and other services. He said donor financing had become increasingly uncertain since 2016 as traditional development partners began prioritising domestic challenges
The initiative, valued at USD 1 million (Sh129 million), was among issues discussed when Duale held bilateral talks with Denmark's Ambassador to Kenya, Stephan Schønemann, and a Novo Nordisk delegation led by its Managing Director for Middle Africa, Jacob Mollerup.
The union argues that nurses and midwives deserved better remuneration in recognition of the responsibilities they undertake in health facilities across the country.
About 34% of adolescents reported playing digital games every day, while 22% said they played for at least four hours on days when they gamed. Overall, 12% were considered at risk of problematic gaming, with boys recording a higher rate than girls, at 16% compared with 7%
The extension gives healthcare providers additional time to address outstanding requirements as Kenya accelerates the integration of digital systems into healthcare financing and service delivery
Under the deal signed between the pharmaceutical company and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), some cancer medicines that have been costing patients up to Sh1 million for one treatment cycle will now be available for less than Sh50,000.
The opportunity targets students who missed the earlier application window and those seeking to join KMTC for professional training in healthcare-related fields