Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, recently chaired a high-level consultative meeting aimed at fostering greater coordination and strategic alignment among Kenya’s leading medical service agencies. The gathering brought together senior officials and leaders from critical health institutions to deliberate on ongoing sector challenges and chart a path forward toward improved service delivery and long-term health sector reforms.
Key agencies represented in the meeting included the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), and the Kenya Cancer Institute. This diverse representation reflected the multi-sectoral nature of Kenya’s health service ecosystem and the need for an integrated approach to reform.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Oluga emphasized the urgency of aligning institutional efforts with the broader vision of the Ministry of Health. He noted that a lack of cohesion and accountability in the past has hindered service delivery, undermining the potential impact of various health initiatives. According to the Principal Secretary, it is imperative that all health agencies work in harmony, guided by a unified strategy that prioritizes transparency, results-driven operations, and people-centered care.
The meeting highlighted three key pillars to guide sectoral reforms: accountability, collaboration, and innovation. Accountability emerged as a foundational principle, with calls for improved oversight mechanisms, clearer mandates for agencies, and stronger performance monitoring. Participants agreed that transparent reporting and evidence-based decision-making would be vital to building public trust and ensuring efficient use of resources.
On collaboration, the agencies discussed ways to break down silos that have historically limited synergy between institutions. There was consensus that duplicative efforts and poor communication have led to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Going forward, inter-agency taskforces, joint programming, and shared data systems were proposed as avenues to enhance coordination and avoid working at cross purposes.
Innovation was the third pillar emphasized, with Dr. Oluga urging agencies to embrace new technologies and adaptive practices. He pointed out that Kenya’s health challenges—ranging from emerging diseases to chronic conditions—require bold thinking and flexible systems. Agencies were encouraged to invest in digital health tools, strengthen research-to-policy pathways, and build a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Another central theme of the meeting was the importance of equity in service delivery. Discussions addressed disparities in access to quality healthcare across counties, with calls to prioritize underserved and marginalized populations. Health agency leaders affirmed their commitment to ensuring that national policies translate into meaningful, grassroots-level improvements.
The meeting also touched on ongoing reforms within key institutions such as KEMSA and KEMRI. Stakeholders shared progress updates and discussed how institutional restructuring can better serve national health goals. The participants recognized the importance of aligning internal governance with sector-wide priorities to build resilience and agility within the health system.
In closing, Dr. Oluga reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for all health institutions and stressed the need for sustained dialogue and collaboration. He pledged to continue convening such consultative forums to monitor progress, address bottlenecks, and foster a shared sense of purpose.
The gathering marked a renewed commitment by Kenya’s health leadership to put citizens at the center of service delivery, through better coordination, greater accountability, and more strategic investments in health system strengthening.
