What to expect at inaugural Kenya Health Summit 2026

The inaugural Kenya Health Summit 2026 will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) from August 18-19, featuring key stakeholders in the Kenyan health sector to discuss progress and challenges in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale expressed that the summit offers an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the country's achievements in health financing, digital health, the healthcare workforce, primary healthcare, and specialized services.

The summit will highlight the government's progress in health financing, digital health, including the establishment of the Digital Health Agency, and efforts to create a paperless healthcare system across public, private, and faith-based facilities. Healthcare workforce reforms will be discussed, including steps taken to resolve the internship dispute, postgraduate training, and the recruitment of 5,000 additional nurses and midwives to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.

The supply of medical commodities and equipment will also be examined, focusing on the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), which has achieved a fill rate of over 90 percent for its stock.

Primary healthcare will be a significant focus, with discussions surrounding the role of community health promoters and investments to address the majority of the country's disease burden at the community level. The summit will also present advancements in reducing HIV infections and the government's partnerships with the United States.

A Town Hall session moderated by President William Ruto will allow Kenyans to share their experiences, concerns, and expectations for the health system. Government representatives from the national and county levels, regulatory agencies, referral hospitals, healthcare professionals, development partners, and other sector stakeholders will participate in the summit.