Dr. Alex Irungu,Ph.D

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

Promised made : Promised being Delivered : 750km Isiolo- Mandera Road and 420km Lamu - Garissa - Isiol Road . Thank you Mr President for Rewriting the Historical marginalization script in our Nation.

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

Joined H.E. President @WilliamsRuto at State House, Nairobi, during his engagement with Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, where Kenya signed a landmark agreement under Pfizer's Accord for a Healthier World initiative.

The partnership will reduce the cost of medicines for breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate, oesophageal and blood cancers by more than sevenfold.

In some cases, treatment costs will fall from as high as KSh1 million to below KSh50,000 per cycle, making the KSh800,000 SHA cancer package sufficient to cover treatment without additional costs to patients.

Kenya will also gain faster access to newer cancer medicines, eliminating the current 10-year wait, while Pfizer will support access to technologies for local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa.

We appreciate Pfizer's partnership as we continue strengthening access to affordable, quality cancer care under Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Present were Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Nairobi Carla Benini, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and Pfizer officials.

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

Concluding my health development tour of West Pokot County, I presided over a resource mobilisation drive hosted by Pokot East MP Hon. David Pkosing at Nyarkulian Primary School grounds, in support of 22 women's empowerment groups under the Nyarkulian Women Silk Groups umbrella.

I commended the women for their collective pursuit of economic self-reliance, noting that such grassroots initiatives are central to advancing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

I also rallied residents behind H.E President William Ruto's 2027 re-election bid, urging them to support the continuity of the administration's development agenda.

I cited the gains made in the region, including improved security, the decline of banditry, ongoing tarmac road construction and expanded electricity connectivity.

On preparations for the 2027 General Election, I called on the IEBC to remain independent, resist political interference and focus on delivering a free, fair and credible electoral process.

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

With the Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, we signed the minutes of the on-site feasibility study for the China-aid upgrading of Londiani Sub-County Hospital and Baringo County Referral Hospital.

This marks a significant step towards fast-tracking the development and equipping of the two priority facilities into modern Level 5 hospitals.

The projects are part of Kenya-China cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), supporting the Government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and efforts to accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

With the minutes signed, the Exchange of Notes between the two Governments will now progress, while identified Chinese companies prepare to undertake the works. Londiani and Baringo will form the first phase of a broader programme covering five priority hospitals, strengthening referral capacity and expanding access to quality, affordable and specialised healthcare.

We have agreed to accelerate implementation, strengthen coordination and resolve any outstanding technical issues expeditiously.

The Government remains committed to delivering these projects within the agreed timelines and ensuring that Kenya-China cooperation translates into tangible improvements in healthcare for Kenyans.

I was joined in the meeting by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga as well as Deputy Director General at Asia and the Pacific Directorate at the State Department for Foreign Affairs Amb. Jane Makori.

[Mbagathi County Referral Hospital @Mbagathihosp]

Mbagathi Hospital management today visited the CEO of KDIC Ms. Hellen Chepkwony to appreciate the existing partnership in support of NBU services, and explore more support for NICU.

The hospital delegation was headed by CEODr.Alex Irungu and included Dr. Beatrice Mwangi,

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

At the plenary of the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, I presented Kenya's firm position on the urgent need to translate Africa's health vision into concrete action.

Under the theme, 'A New Era of Health for Africa: United Action for Vision 2035,' Kenya endorsed the regional strategy and called for greater focus on implementation, anchored on three priorities; sustainable financing, local manufacturing and digital transformation.

On financing, I emphasized that Africa must move beyond dependence on external health funding. Kenya's Taifa Care programme, through the Social Health Authority (SHA), now covers more than 32 million Kenyans and is strengthening domestic financing for primary healthcare. I called for greater fiscal space and stronger investment cases, including closer engagement between Health and Finance Ministers.

On manufacturing, I highlighted Kenya's ratification of the African Medicines Agency treaty and urged all member states to follow suit. A strong continental regulator, pooled procurement and joint regulatory approvals can create predictable markets for African manufacturers. Health sovereignty, I stressed, will ultimately be built through purchase orders, not declarations.

On digital health, I outlined Kenya's integrated digital health architecture, connecting facilities, claims and registries and extending services to 107,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) through the Digital Health Agency (DHA).

Kenya also supported a regional health data hub founded on interoperability, strong governance and African ownership of African health data.

We reaffirmed our commitment to working with the WHO Regional Director and member states to turn Vision 2035 into a practical pathway towards a more self-reliant, resilient and sustainable African health system.

The meeting was attended by Kenyan Ambassador to Ethiopia and our permanent representative to the AU H.E Amb. Galma Boru, Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth, DHA CEO Eng. Anthony Lenaiyara and Dr. Omar Albush, Director Health Sector Coordination and Intergovernmental Relations in the Ministry of Health.

[Mbagathi County Referral Hospital @Mbagathihosp]

Mbagathi County Referral Hospital hosted a delegation from the Ministry of Health, Zimbabwe, comprising Mugove Chideme and Tanaka Sakubani for a benchmarking visit focused on Mbagathi’s best practices and the NESP Programme. The delegation had healthcare technology, Mindray

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

National Emergency Ambulance Dispatch centre

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

During a tour of duty at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), I assessed ongoing investments aimed at strengthening specialized healthcare services and advancing the Government's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

The visit highlighted the impact of strategic partnerships between Government and the private sector in modernizing healthcare infrastructure and expanding access to quality care.

Key milestones include the refurbished Renal Unit, three renovated wards supported by The Co-operative Bank of Kenya and an additional ward funded through the Nakumatt Fire Victims Fund, collectively increasing the hospital's capacity by about 150 beds.

I also inspected the modern Mammography Unit, which is enhancing breast cancer screening and early diagnosis and the Ultrasound Unit, equipped with four machines under the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP), now serving more than 120 patients daily with faster and more accurate diagnostic services.

The tour further covered the renovated GFB Antenatal and Postnatal Ward and the main Newborn Unit, upgraded through the Safaricom Mpesa Foundation, as well as the IVF Centre of Excellence, now 98 per cent complete and set to provide affordable fertility treatment and specialized reproductive healthcare locally.

These investments demonstrate the Government's commitment to building an equitable and responsive health system by leveraging strategic partnerships to deliver quality healthcare unders the Taifa Care model.

I was hosted by KNH leadership, led by Chairperson Abbas Gullet and CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe.

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

"SHA covers about 67% of the total population in the country, previous regimes walijaribu wakazamishwa." ~

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

Reforms Delivered : Health is a right ,
National Health summit 2026

[Mbagathi County Referral Hospital @Mbagathihosp]

Mbagathi County Referral Hospital marked a significant milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aga Khan University Kenya under the NEST360 Programme.

The partnership establishes a framework for collaboration aimed at improving newborn health

[Ministry of Health @MOH_Kenya]

Protecting patients starts with stronger regulation. On Wednesday, 1 July, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale inaugurated the Interministerial Steering Committee to drive the implementation of Kenya’s National Action Plan on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, strengthening coordinated action to protect the public and ensure every Kenyan has access to safe, quality, effective and affordable medicines.

[Mbagathi County Referral Hospital @Mbagathihosp]

A New Era of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Mbagathi Hospital

Mbagathi Hospital has successfully performed its first laparoscopic surgery following the acquisition of a state-of-the-art laparoscopic machine, marking a major milestone in the hospital's surgical services

[Hon. Aden Duale, EGH @HonAdenDuale]

Presided over the opening of the 2nd Annual Scientific Conference of Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), held under the theme, 'Care Without Gaps: Holistic Pathways to Universal Health Care.'

The conference brings together researchers, clinicians, policymakers and healthcare professionals to share knowledge, showcase innovations and strengthen collaboration in support of a more resilient and responsive health system.

I reaffirmed the Government's commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through Taifa Care, the Social Health Authority (SHA), digital health transformation, strategic investments in health infrastructure and the strengthening of the health workforce.

These efforts are aimed at expanding access to quality, integrated and equitable healthcare for all Kenyans.

I also highlighted the strong alignment between the conference's theme and the Ministry's Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) initiative, as well as the ongoing Rapid Results Initiative on Maternal and Newborn Health, both of which seek to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths through evidence-based, people-centred interventions.

As Kenya embraces digital health, artificial intelligence and data-driven healthcare, I emphasized that research and innovation must remain ethical, evidence-based and focused on improving patient outcomes.

I further underscored the importance of partnerships among government, academia, research institutions, county governments and development partners in accelerating health sector transformation.

I commend the Board, Management, researchers, clinicians, healthcare workers and partners of KUTRRH for their continued contribution to advancing healthcare, research and innovation in Kenya.

I was joined by Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director of Special Needs Education Mr. Fredrick Haga, and the KUTRRH leadership led by Board Chairperson Mr. James Kabugu and CEO Dr. Zeinab Gura alongside senior government officials.