Ministry of Health, Kenya Country Resources General Health Policies Kenya Policy document

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The Kenya Health Policy, 2014–2030 gives directions to ensure significant improvement in
overall status of health in Kenya in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the country’s long-term development agenda, Vision 2030 and global commitments. It demonstrates the health
sector’s commitment, under the government’s stewardship, to ensuring that the country attains
the highest possible standards of health, in a manner responsive to the needs of the population.
This policy is designed to be comprehensive and focuses on the two key obligations of health: realisation of fundamental human rights including the right to health as enshrined in the
Constitution of Kenya 2010 and; contribution to economic development as envisioned in Vision
2030; and. It focuses on ensuring equity, people centeredness and a participatory approach,
efficiency, a multisectoral approach, and social accountability in the delivery of healthcare
services. The policy embraces the principles of protection of the rights and fundamental
freedoms of specific groups of persons, including the right to health of children, persons with
disabilities, youth, minorities, the marginalised and older members of the society, in accordance
with the Constitution.

The policy focuses on six objectives and eight orientations to attain the government’s goals in
health. It takes into account the functional responsibilities between the two levels of government
(county and national) with their respective accountability, reporting, and management lines. It
proposes a comprehensive and innovative approach to harness and synergise health services
delivery at all levels and engaging all actors, signalling a radical departure from past approaches
in addressing the health agenda. There is therefore, need to raise awareness and ensure that the
objectives of this policy are understood and fully owned by the various stakeholders and
implementing partners.

The policy was developed through a participatory process involving all stakeholders in health
including government ministries, departments and agencies; clients, counties, constitutional
bodies, development partners (multilateral and bilateral) and implementing partners (faith-based,
private sector, and civil society). The detailed strategies, specific programmes and packages will
be elaborated in subsequent five-year strategic and investment plans.

It is my sincere hope that under the devolved system of government, all the actors in health in
Kenya will rally around these policy directions to ensure that we all progressively move towards
the realisation of the right to health and steer the country towards the desired health goals.

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