What to Expect at the Kenya Health Summit 2026

Kenya, 17 August 2026 - The government will have the opportunity to highlight progress of health sector reforms and hear concerns about the healthcare sector from various stakeholders during the Kenya Health Summit scheduled for this week, August 18 and 19.

 The summit, themed “Reforms Delivered, Health as a Right,” will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and will be presided over by President William Ruto.

 The Ministry of Health said on Monday that the government will leverage the opportunity to highlight key milestones achieved under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and outline the next phase of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Discussions at the summit will revolve around healthcare financing, primary healthcare, specialised care, availability of medicines and other health products, digital health, the health workforce, and maternal and newborn health.

“Kenya Ready for Health Summit 2026: Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale inspected the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to assess preparations for the Kenya Health Summit, scheduled for 18 and 19 August 2026,” The ministry stated.

“The Summit will bring together national and county governments, regulatory agencies, referral hospitals, healthcare professionals, development partners and other stakeholders from across the health sector,” it added.

 A key milestone that the government is expected to showcase is Kenya Medical Supplies Authority’s fill rate of more than 90 per cent, the expansion of specialised services through the National Equipment Service Programme.

 It is also expected to update Kenyans on the registration of more than 1 million Kenyans by the Social Health Authority ( SHA).

Digital health will be another key area of focus, with discussions expected to examine how technology can elevate transparency, accountability and service delivery across the health system.

The ministry will also be expected to highlight the work of Community Health Promoters, who provide preventive and promotive health services at the household level, as part of the government's effort to strengthen primary healthcare.

Maternal and newborn health is also expected to feature prominently in the summit.

 The government will showcase the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere initiative, alongside plans to deploy an additional 5,000 nurses and midwives to strengthen maternal and newborn care and reduce preventable deaths.