The State Department for Medical Services has witnessed a significant leadership transition as Dr. Ouma Oluga officially assumed office as the new Principal Secretary, taking over from Mr. Harry Kimtai, who has been redeployed to the State Department for Mining.
During the handover ceremony, the Cabinet Secretary for Health emphasized the need for Ministry officials to remain grounded in the core values of transparency, accountability, and integrity as outlined in Chapter 10 of the Constitution. These principles, he stated, must be embedded in all aspects of policy implementation, financial management, and service delivery in order to build a health system that is efficient, responsive, and people-centered.
The Cabinet Secretary also called for a unified approach in supporting the new leadership, especially in driving forward the implementation of key health reforms. Among these is the rollout of the Taifa Care Model and the operationalization of the Social Health Authority (SHA), both central to the broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to restoring order within the sector and ensuring that every Kenyan has access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Oluga expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged to work diligently to deliver meaningful results for the Kenyan people. He reiterated his commitment to strengthening the health sector and accelerating the implementation of the UHC agenda, which remains a flagship priority under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Dr. Oluga highlighted the critical importance of rebuilding public trust in the health system, noting that values such as patriotism, dependability, reliability, and sustainable development must guide service delivery. He pointed out that investing in the health workforce is essential to achieving lasting improvements in the sector, as the workforce remains the backbone of any successful healthcare system.
Acknowledging the challenges currently facing the sector particularly those arising from the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority the Cabinet Secretary expressed full confidence in Dr. Oluga’s leadership. He commended Dr. Oluga for his deep technical knowledge and unwavering dedication to the health sector, qualities that are expected to play a crucial role in guiding the ongoing reforms.
The Cabinet Secretary reiterated the Ministry’s focus on redefining healthcare delivery in Kenya, aiming for a system that is affordable, dignified, and accessible to all citizens. He noted that leadership transitions present opportunities to inject new energy and ideas, and emphasized the need for all stakeholders to support the new leadership as it seeks to steer the sector through a period of transformation.
The ceremony was attended by a wide array of senior health officials, including the outgoing Principal Secretary Mr. Harry Kimtai, Principal Secretary for Public Health, the Director General for Health, Chief Executive Officers of various state corporations under the Ministry, and directors of technical departments. Their presence underscored the importance of a smooth and united transition as the Ministry embarks on a new chapter in the delivery of health services across the country.
As Dr. Oluga steps into his new role, expectations are high that his leadership will invigorate the sector and accelerate the realization of Universal Health Coverage, a goal that remains central to Kenya’s national development agenda.
