Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has pledged to make maternal health a national agenda, calling for a comprehensive, life-course approach that addresses women’s health well before, during, and after pregnancy.
Speaking during the launch of Rumuruti Mission Hospital (RMH) in Laikipia County Sunday 12th October 2025, Duale said the strategy will be achieved through the active participation of women leaders in developing a framework that provides actionable recommendations for preventive and promotive services that enhance women’s health and wellbeing.
“We must view maternal health not as an isolated event but as part of a woman’s lifelong journey of wellbeing from adolescence to motherhood and beyond,” said the CS.
The launch marked the culmination of a week-long medical outreach by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), which provided health services to more than 2,000 community members.
Constructed by the PCEA Health Board, Rumuruti Mission Hospital becomes the fourth mission hospital under the Church in the Rift Valley region, joining PCEA Kikuyu, Tumutumu, and Chogoria hospitals.
Strategically located in Rumuruti, the new facility will provide affordable and quality healthcare to rural communities while serving as a hub for medical outreach in the region.
Duale commended Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) for their pivotal role in Kenya’s health system, noting that they manage nearly 30 percent of the country’s health facilities.
He lauded their continued partnership in advancing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda and contributing to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) through the Taifa Care Model.
The CS highlighted the benefits available under the Social Health Authority (SHA), including maternal healthcare, dialysis, and coverage for emergency, chronic, and critical illnesses, all designed to ensure equitable access to essential health services for every Kenyan.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accountability and prudent management of public resources under the SHA, issuing a stern warning against fraudulent practices targeting the Fund.
Duale emphasized that the Ministry continues to implement reforms aimed at protecting health financing integrity and improving efficiency in service delivery.
Reiterating President William Ruto’s directive, the CS confirmed that the government will fully cover SHA contributions for 1.5 million indigent Kenyans across all 47 counties, while Governors and Members of Parliament will support an additional one million citizens a major step toward universal access to healthcare.
Calling for national unity, Duale urged Kenyans to reject divisive politics and instead focus on shared progress.
He commended the PCEA for its long-standing contribution to health and community development and announced the Ministry’s support for the new hospital through the drilling of a borehole and donation of essential medicines to facilitate operations.
