Ruto Opens National Health Summit as Kenya Takes Stock of SHA, KEMSA and Primary Healthcare Reforms

NAIROBI — President William Ruto has opened the 2026 National Health Summit in Nairobi, putting Kenya's sweeping health reforms under the spotlight as the government faces growing pressure to show that changes in the sector are improving care for ordinary citizens.

The two-day summit, running from 18 to 19 August 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), brings together government officials, healthcare professionals, development partners and other stakeholders to assess progress and challenges in the health sector.

The meeting is being held under the theme “Reform Delivered, Health as a Right”.

Rather than focusing only on policy announcements, the summit is expected to examine how reforms are being experienced on the ground — from patients seeking treatment to health workers and facilities expected to deliver the services.

SHA reforms take centre stage

One of the major issues under discussion is the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund as the centrepiece of Kenya's new health financing system.

The government has been pushing SHA as a way of widening access to healthcare and shifting the focus towards universal health coverage.

But the transition has also brought questions over registration, claims processing, payments to healthcare providers and the experience of patients seeking treatment.

The summit provides an opportunity for officials and health sector stakeholders to assess whether the system is delivering the access and financial protection promised by the reforms.

KEMSA and the supply of medicines

The performance of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) will also feature prominently.

Reliable supplies of medicines and medical equipment remain central to the functioning of public hospitals and health centres. Any disruption can have a direct impact on patients, particularly those who depend on government facilities.

The summit will therefore look at efforts to improve efficiency at KEMSA and strengthen the supply chain for essential medical commodities.

From hospitals to the household

The government's health agenda extends beyond major hospitals.

Delegates will review progress in primary healthcare, maternal and newborn services and the work of Community Health Promoters (CHPs).

CHPs are intended to act as a link between households and the formal health system, helping communities access preventive and basic healthcare services before illnesses become more serious.

For many families, particularly in areas where hospitals and clinics are difficult to reach, the success of these community-level services could be one of the clearest measures of whether health reforms are making a difference.

Digital health also under review

The summit will also examine the government's push to digitise healthcare services.

Digital systems are increasingly being used in areas such as patient registration, health financing, claims management and the sharing of health information.

The challenge, however, is ensuring that technology improves access rather than creating new barriers for people who have limited digital skills, internet access or reliable connectivity.

A chance for Kenyans to speak directly

The summit is expected to end with a Presidential Town Hall, giving members of the public an opportunity to raise concerns and share their experiences with the healthcare system.

That session could prove particularly important.

For patients, the success of health reform is ultimately measured in practical terms: whether they can see a doctor when they need one, obtain medicines, receive maternity care, afford treatment and avoid financial hardship because of illness.

The National Health Summit therefore comes at a critical point for Kenya's healthcare agenda.

The government has set out an ambitious programme of reform. The bigger question now is whether those reforms are translating into better, more accessible and more reliable healthcare for Kenyans.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.