Kenya is taking significant strides towards transforming its healthcare system through the introduction of new regulations aimed at advancing digital health. On April 4, 2025, Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale led a critical discussion with the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation, chaired by Ainabkoi MP Hon. Samuel Chepkonga, regarding the proposed Digital Health Regulations 2025. The meeting, which took place at a Kiambu hotel, centered around the pre-publication stage of the regulations, signaling a major step forward in Kenya’s digital health transformation.
The Digital Health Regulations 2025 are designed to establish a comprehensive and robust framework for digital health services in the country. These regulations aim to revolutionize healthcare delivery by facilitating the seamless registration of patients, the efficient tracking of health records, and the streamlining of various healthcare processes. With these changes, Kenya is positioning itself to enhance its healthcare systems in line with national development priorities, including Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Both of these frameworks emphasize the importance of healthcare in achieving broader socio-economic development goals.
Hon. Duale emphasized that the new regulations are a critical part of the government’s broader strategy to improve healthcare access across the country. The introduction of these regulations is expected to make healthcare services more affordable, accessible, and of higher quality for all Kenyans. In addition to improving access, the regulations are also aimed at ensuring that healthcare is financially sustainable, helping the country avoid the pitfalls of inefficiency and waste in the healthcare sector.
One of the significant objectives of the regulations is to combat healthcare fraud, which has long been a concern in the Kenyan healthcare system. By implementing a more structured and digitized approach to patient data management, the regulations will provide better oversight and transparency. This, in turn, will make it easier to detect and prevent fraudulent activities that have plagued the sector for years. Furthermore, the regulations will help address the growing issue of unqualified medical practitioners, ensuring that only qualified individuals are allowed to practice and deliver medical services to the public.
The Digital Health Agency (DHA), a key player in the rollout of these regulations, is at the forefront of Kenya’s efforts to modernize its healthcare infrastructure. The agency’s acting CEO, Mr. Anthony Lenaiyara, alongside other ministry representatives, including Medical Services PS Mr. Harry Kimtai and Senior Counsel Ms. Edith Torome, participated in the meeting, highlighting the collaborative effort required for the successful implementation of the regulations. These officials expressed their commitment to ensuring that the regulations are rolled out efficiently and effectively, paving the way for a more digitally advanced healthcare system in Kenya.
The proposed digital health regulations also have the potential to address broader health challenges in the country, such as the unequal distribution of healthcare resources. By leveraging digital tools and technologies, healthcare services can be extended to remote areas, allowing patients in underserved regions to access quality medical care without having to travel long distances. This is particularly important in a country like Kenya, where healthcare infrastructure in rural areas is often limited.
As Kenya continues to focus on digital health as a key component of its healthcare transformation, the successful implementation of the Digital Health Regulations 2025 will mark a critical milestone in the journey towards achieving universal healthcare coverage. With a robust regulatory framework in place, Kenya will be better equipped to tackle the challenges facing its healthcare system while also making significant progress toward meeting the health-related targets set out in its national development strategies.
