Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga has called for stronger coordination of development partner investments in Kenya’s health sector, saying alignment with national priorities is essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Oluga made the remarks during a meeting with the 2026/27 Executive Committee of Development Partners for Health in Kenya (DPHK) at Afya House in Nairobi.
The delegation, led by DPHK Chairperson Luigi D’Aquino, presented its strategic priorities and discussed ways of strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Health.
The Principal Secretary said development partner support should operate within a government-led framework that promotes coordinated investments, transparency and mutual accountability.
He called for greater use of existing sector coordination structures, particularly the Joint Sector Working Group, to ensure that development partners work within a common national framework.
Oluga emphasised the principle of “one plan, one budget and one monitoring and evaluation framework”, noting that coordinated support would help avoid duplication of efforts and ensure investments translate into measurable improvements in healthcare delivery.
Discussions during the meeting covered sustainable health financing, primary healthcare, digital public infrastructure, Universal Health Coverage reforms and the Kenya Health Policy Platform.
The engagement comes as the Ministry of Health undertakes an end-term evaluation of the Kenya Health Policy 2014–2030. The findings are expected to inform the development of a new health policy framework beyond 2030.
Oluga reaffirmed the need for structured engagement between the government and development partners, saying shared priorities and collective accountability would help maximise available resources and strengthen the country’s health system.
DPHK brings together bilateral and multilateral development partners, as well as foundations, to support coordinated investments in Kenya’s health sector.
The meeting was also attended by DPHK Co-Chairs Brian Rettmann and Francesco Giulietti, WHO Representative Dr Neema Kimambo, Health Sector Coordinator Chipo Takawira, DPHK Secretariat representative Dr Elizabeth Oele and Senior World Bank Specialist Peter Okwero.
