Sh19.8b needed to avert collapse of maternity, primary health care

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale addresses MPs in Naivasha on January 28, 2026. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has warned of a looming crisis in the delivery of free primary healthcare and maternity services as it seeks an urgent exchequer release of Sh5.9 billion to clear pending claims under the Primary Healthcare (PHC) Fund.

In addition, the ministry is requesting Sh11.9 billion in a supplementary budget to cover a projected deficit in PHC services up to June 2026, alongside Sh2.04 billion to support the maternity package.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale warns that failure to close the funding gap could threaten the lives of mothers and newborns.

Duale told Members of Parliament during the recent retreat in Naivasha that delays and inconsistencies in funding have strained frontline facilities, disrupted service delivery, and undermined the transition from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA).

“To sustain this momentum, we require your budgetary support. To clear pending claims and ensure the seamless operation of free primary healthcare, we urgently require an Exchequer release of Sh5.9 billion for PHC,” the CS said. 

“Furthermore, to cover the projected deficit for PHC services up to June 2025, we are requesting Sh11.9 billion in the supplementary budget. We also seek support for maternity package, which requires Sh2.04 billion to safeguard lives of our mothers and newborns”.

The anticipated crisis is unfolding at a time hospitals have limited services rendered to patients who are left to pay out of pocket for care.

Health economist and policy expert Beatrice Kairu also warns that delays in releasing the Sh5.9 billion has already hurt the health system, particularly at the primary care level.

“Dispensaries and health centres are underfunded, medicines are missing, and patients are being pushed to overcrowded referral hospitals,” Kairu told The Standard in an interview, adding:

“When primary healthcare fails, costs rise, and the poorest suffer the most.” 

A recent investigation by The Standard across the country revealed most health centres and dispensaries (Level 2 and 3 hospitals) lack basic medical commodities, including medicines.

Patients are therefore forced to buy the medicines in private chemists, an issue depriving them quality care.

Even as the Ministry pushes for allocation of PHC, Kairu questioned preparedness of counties in manning hospitals providing primary and preventive health services.

According to Kairu, most county hospitals are in deplorable state, they lack basic diagnostic equipment for common diseases and human resource, forcing patients to seek care in Level 4, Level 5 and referral facilities where they pay for basic ailments.

“How can PHC be funded effectively when many counties have not established the hub-and-spoke primary healthcare systems promised?” she questioned.

Data by MoH shows at least 29 million Kenyans have registered with SHIF.

However, only 4.66 million are remitting their premiums, among them 3.16 million in formal sector, and 1.5 million in informal sector.