Position Paper on the UN Government Stop Work Order on Health Services delivery in Kenya

Access to healthcare is widely recognized as a fundamental human right, as articulated in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 under the Bill of Rights. The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease. Despite notable global progress, healthcare systems continue to face pressure from climate change, pandemics, financial limitations, and persistent inequalities. In Africa, important gains have been made in immunization, maternal health, and HIV/AIDS control; however, the region still faces underfunded systems, unequal access to care, and a high burden of diseases such as malaria and emerging infections. Kenya’s healthcare system operates under a devolved structure, where county governments manage primary and mid-level health services, while the national government oversees referral hospitals, as guided by the Ministry of Health Kenya. Healthcare financing is derived from a mix of public funds (taxes), external loans and grants, and mandatory insurance contributions, with private insurance playing a supplementary role. Although funding has increased over time, government health expenditure—at about 6% of GDP—remains below the 15% target set by the Abuja Declaration. The Kenya Health Financing Strategy 2020–2030 highlights this shortfall and emphasizes the need for increased and sustainable investment to achieve universal health coverage and improve health outcomes. Development partners such as the World Health Organization, USAID, and Médecins Sans Frontières continue to play a significant role in supporting Kenya’s healthcare system, particularly in areas such as HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and immunization. For instance, USAID contributed substantial funding between 2020 and 2025 to strengthen these programs. However, heavy reliance on external donors raises concerns about long-term sustainability and vulnerability to funding fluctuations. This underscores the urgent need for Kenya to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and develop resilient financing mechanisms to ensure equitable and consistent access to healthcare for all.