Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Aden Duale, has called for continued collaboration between the National and County governments in efforts to deliver quality health services to the Kenyan people.
Speaking during the official opening of the 2026 Devolution Sensitization Week in Garissa, Duale, who was the chief guest, said that through bringing the government closer to the people and expanding access to essential services, the country had demonstrated that devolution works.
The CS further reiterated that his Ministry under the National government was committed to maintaining a harmonious, respectful, and consultative relationship with all county governments in the spirit of the principles of cooperative government as envisioned in the Constitution.
Duale assured the counties of mutual dialogues characterized by respect, shared accountability, and collective responsibility, noting that the national government would not ‘supervise’ the counties but support, strengthen, and work with them as equal constitutional partners.
“The Constitution deliberately assigns complementary responsibilities to the two levels of government. Counties are responsible for delivering healthcare services, while the National Government provides policy direction, legislation, regulation, standards, strategic financing, health security, specialized referral services, and technical leadership,” Duale said.
“These responsibilities are complementary, not competing. Neither level of Government can succeed without the other. When we work together, Kenya wins. When we pull in different directions, it is the ordinary Kenyan who suffers,” he added.
The CS called on the counties to put more efforts into reducing the maternal and newborn mortality rate, which he regretted was still high.
He said the Ministry is strengthening the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) programme, to ensure every maternal and newborn death is reviewed and lessons translated into improved healthcare services.
“Thousands of mothers and newborns continue to lose their lives each year from preventable causes, with the burden falling disproportionately on ASAL and other underserved counties. Every maternal death is a tragedy. Every newborn death is one too many. These are not merely statistics; they are lives, families, and futures lost,” Duale said.
“These efforts are fully aligned with the government’s broader health reforms. Through the Social Health Authority (SHA), strengthened Primary Healthcare, Community Health Promoters and Primary Care Networks, we are building an integrated, equitable, and sustainable health system that reaches every Kenyan, including those living in pastoralist and hard-to-reach communities,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairperson, Council of Governors, Ahmed Abdullahi, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi said county governments are committed to working closely with the National government and other stakeholders to deepen devolution.
Abdullahi said the 2026 Devolution Sensitization Week provides an opportunity to bring devolution closer to wananchi while strengthening collaboration aimed at improving healthcare delivery.
“This Sensitization Week is more than just a current event. It is an opportunity to bring devolution closer to the people and reaffirm our collective commitment to improving the lives of Kenyans,” he said.
He noted that counties have demonstrated over the last decade that devolved governance makes services more responsive and communities more involved in decision-making.
Abdullahi emphasized that devolution does not diminish the importance of partnerships with the national government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.
“The fact that we are delivering services in the counties does not mean that we do not work together with the national government. Devolution thrives when citizens are informed, engaged, and empowered,” he said.
He called on Kenyans to use the week to celebrate the gains made under devolution while honestly reflecting on areas that require greater collaboration, innovation, and accountability to deliver better healthcare and stronger local economies.
By Erick Kyalo
