The government has proposed an allocation of Sh 138.1 billion towards the health sector and support for various programmes.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, while presenting the budget policy highlights for financial year 2025/26 yesterday at the National Assembly, said access to quality and affordable healthcare through the Universal Health Coverage Programme is central to the Government.
Out of the proposed allocation, Sh 6.2 billion has been proposed for Universal Health Coverage Coordination and Management, Sh 13.1 billion for the Primary Healthcare Fund, and Sh 430 million to provide medical cover for the orphans, elderly, and severely disabled persons in our society.
“To lower cases of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and enhance vaccines and immunization programme in the country, I have proposed Sh 17.3 billion for the Global Fund and Sh4.6 billion for the Vaccines and Immunisation Programme, respectively,” the CS said.
For early diagnosis and management of cancer, and in order to reduce the burden of treatment of chronic and critical illnesses among Kenyans, Mbadi proposed an allocation of Sh8 billion to the Emergencies, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund; Sh 1 billion for the construction of a cancer centre at Kisii Level 5 Hospital; Sh100 million to strengthen cancer management in Kenyatta National Hospital; and Sh 100 million for the expansion of comprehensive cancer treatment at Kenyatta University Teaching Referral & Research Hospital.
“I have also proposed a sum of Sh 42.4 billion for our referral hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching Referral & Research Hospital, Mwai Kibaki Teaching & Referral Hospital Othaya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, to improve service delivery,” he added.
Other allocations include Sh 1.3 billion for the construction of the Kenyatta National Hospital Burns and Paediatrics Centre.
The CS also proposed Sh 5.2 billion for the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency, Sh 2.7 billion for the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Sh 500 million for procurement of family planning and reproductive health commodities, and Sh 300 million for procurement of equipment at the National Blood Transfusion Services.
Further, to strengthen the capacity of medical personnel, the CS also proposed an allocation of Sh4.3 billion for medical interns, Sh 3.2 billion for community health promoters, Sh 303 million for training of health personnel, and Sh 8.9 billion for the Kenya Medical Training Centres.
The CS mentioned some of the achievements the government has gained under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to enhance the attainment of Universal Health Coverage, including the expansion of social health insurance.
“As of May 2025, more than 22 million Kenyans were registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), representing a remarkable 175 per cent increase in membership compared to the 8 million previously enrolled under the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF),” he said.
This, Mbadi added, marks a major milestone in health sector reforms and brings us closer to our goal of equitable, affordable, and accessible healthcare for all.
By Wangari Ndirangu
