Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, chair of the Council of Governors’ Health Committee, participated in the Senate Assessment and Planning Retreat of the Fourth Senate of the 13th Parliament, focusing on the progress and emerging priorities in implementing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across Kenya.
Governor Nassir highlighted key achievements from the county perspective, noting that the legal framework guiding social health reforms has been instrumental in facilitating UHC implementation.
“Clarity on the Social Health Authority (SHA) benefits package across public facilities has supported uptake of health services,” he said.
Counties have also benefited economically, with social health insurance reforms boosting insurance enrollment and strengthening the health sector’s contribution to Own Source Revenue.
A significant milestone cited was the establishment of over 75 percent of Primary Care Networks, which lay the foundation for integrated primary healthcare delivery across the country.
“This structural progress is vital for seamless service delivery at the community level,” Nassir noted.
Despite these gains, the retreat highlighted challenges affecting the UHC agenda. Delays in exchequer disbursements to the Primary Health Care Fund remain a key concern, with the last payout to facilities recorded in October 2025.
Additionally, sub-optimal Social Health Insurance Fund reimbursements, averaging 60 percent, have left over KSh10 billion in pending claims, affecting service delivery and straining county health budgets.
Governor Nassir emphasized the need for continued collaboration between counties, the Senate, and the National Government to address these gaps.
“Counties are committed to strengthening health financing, enhancing accountability, and protecting devolution to ensure that UHC translates into accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all Kenyans,” he said.
The retreat provided a platform for both levels of government to review successes, challenges, and interventions, underscoring the critical role of coordination in realizing Kenya’s healthcare vision.
Stakeholders agreed that sustained commitment and timely funding are essential to maintain momentum and expand access to essential health services nationwide.
As Kenya advances its UHC agenda under the National Cancer Control Strategy 2023–2027 and other health reforms, county-level implementation and financing will remain central to achieving equitable healthcare for all citizens.