Ministry of Health Strengthens Partnership with HENNET to Advance Health Sector Reforms
Nairobi, Kenya - 4th August - The Ministry of Health is strengthening its collaboration with non-state actors as part of ongoing efforts to accelerate the country's health sector reforms. , Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale met with a delegation from the Health NGOs Network (HENNET), led by its Chairperson, Ms. Lillian Otiso, for high-level consultations on expanding cooperation in support of Kenya's national health agenda.
The meeting explored practical ways of enhancing coordination between Government and civil society to ensure that partner interventions are better aligned with national priorities, reinforce intergovernmental collaboration and promote greater transparency, accountability and shared responsibility in the delivery of health services.
During the discussions, the Cabinet Secretary underscored the importance of the National Health Sector Coordination and Partnership Framework, recently launched by the Ministry, as the Government's blueprint for managing development partnerships. The Framework, which will be presented during the 2026 Kenya Health Summit, is founded on the principles of *One Plan, One Budget and One Monitoring Framework*, providing a unified platform for coordinating investments and measuring results in line with the Taifa Care agenda.
Emphasising the spirit of Sustainable Development Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals, the Cabinet Secretary noted that achieving Universal Health Coverage requires strong and well-coordinated partnerships across Government, civil society and the private sector. He pointed to the ongoing transformation at Kenyatta National Hospital, where collaboration with private-sector partners continues to improve health infrastructure, expand specialised medical services and enhance access to quality care.
Recognising the critical contribution of civil society, the Cabinet Secretary applauded HENNET for its leadership in policy advocacy, community engagement and social accountability, particularly in reaching vulnerable and underserved populations. He welcomed the Network's commitment to supporting Government programmes through inclusive and transparent engagement.
To strengthen this collaboration, the Cabinet Secretary proposed establishing a joint technical working mechanism between the Ministry of Health and HENNET to develop a structured governance framework for continuous engagement. The proposed mechanism will improve coordination, eliminate duplication of efforts and maximise the contribution of civil society organisations towards achieving national health priorities.
The Cabinet Secretary further called on HENNET to support the implementation of Kenya's Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan by driving community mobilisation, advocacy and demand creation for quality maternal and newborn healthcare services. He also invited the Network to partner with the Ministry in intensifying public awareness on cancer prevention and control through increased screening, early detection, timely diagnosis and improved access to treatment.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to institutionalise engagement between the Ministry and HENNET through quarterly consultative meetings involving the HENNET Board, alongside an Annual Health Partnership Summit. These structured platforms will strengthen coordination, foster mutual accountability and accelerate the implementation of Kenya's health sector transformation agenda.
The consultative meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms. Mary Muthoni; Director for Health Sector Coordination, Dr. Ahmed Albush; and Director of Public Health and Sanitation, Dr. Stephen Muleshe.