Deputy President Kithure Kindiki hosted a series of significant meetings at his Karen residence, involving high-level Cabinet officials and key stakeholders from various sectors. The day’s events included strategic discussions focused on key national priorities ranging from economic growth to healthcare and education reforms.
The first of the meetings was a crucial session with the Cabinet Committee on Finance, Infrastructure, Land, and the Production Economy. This meeting saw the participation of eight Cabinet members, including Attorney General Dorcas Oduor and Secretary to Cabinet Mercy Wanjau. Among the Cabinet Secretaries in attendance were Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), Dr. Andrew Karanja (Agriculture and Livestock Development), Davies Chirchir (Roads and Transport), Alice Wahome (Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development), Aden Duale (Environment, Climate Change and Forestry), and Rebecca Miano (Tourism and Wildlife). The discussions centered on ongoing and upcoming government projects that will contribute to economic growth, infrastructure development, and sustainable land use.
Following this, Kindiki hosted a consultative meeting with the Ministry of Health leadership, where the focus was on the ongoing rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA). The discussions also examined the challenges and potential solutions to ensure the smooth implementation of the new Health Insurance framework. The Deputy President emphasized that the Social Health Insurance Scheme (SHIF), along with Digital Health Services, would play a transformative role in ensuring that as many Kenyan households as possible could access quality and affordable healthcare. He also highlighted how the new system would eliminate the inefficiencies and gaming seen under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), ensuring that all citizens benefit equally from healthcare services.
In attendance at the health sector meeting were Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa (Health), Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai (Medical Services), Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni (Public Health), and Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth (Health). Additionally, Dr. Zeinab Gura (Acting Deputy Director General, Medical Services), Anthony Lenayara (Acting CEO, Digital Health Agency), Dr. Abdi Mohamed (Chairman, SHA Board), and Dr. Thuranira Kaugiria (Technical Advisor, Office of the President) were present to provide valuable insights and updates on the progress of the rollout.
The Deputy President’s final meeting of the day was with senior officials from the Ministry of Education, where the focus was on reviewing the progress of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) and examining the status of reforms in the education sector. Kindiki noted that the CBC is designed to address current and future global trends in education, preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that funding for Technical, Vocational, and University education is aligned with the needs of the country’s development goals. The objective, he pointed out, is to make higher education more accessible to all Kenyans, thereby enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth.
The meeting also underscored the necessity for further reforms to enhance the accessibility and affordability of a high-quality education system that produces graduates well-equipped for the job market. The Presidential Working Party on Education reforms is pushing for measures to ensure that the education system remains relevant and robust, catering to the needs of both industry and the global job market.
Key attendees at the education meeting included Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba (Education), Permanent Secretaries Dr. Belio Kipsang (Basic Education), Dr. Beatrice Inyangala (Higher Education and Research), and Dr. Esther Muoria (Technical Vocational Education and Training). Other notable figures were Elyas Abdi (Director General, Education), Joseph Njau (Secretary, Technical Vocational Education and Training), and Milton Njuki (Deputy Director, Higher Education and Research).
Tuesday’s series of high-level meetings reflects the Deputy President’s commitment to driving forward transformative changes across sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. With such engagements, the government is taking critical steps to enhance service delivery, ensure inclusivity, and position Kenya for sustained development in the coming years.
