Kenya Minute.
Friday, 25 September 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 25 September 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Mary Muthoni

Also known as: Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni · Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni · Ms Muthoni · Mary Muthoni Muriuki · PS Mary Muthoni · Public Health PS Mary Muthoni · Muriuki · Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni · Mary Muthoni Njogu · Health PS Mary Muthoni · Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni

Principal Secretary for Public Health coordinating Kenya's El Niño health response and health policy messaging.

2026-04-262026-09-25

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Capital News

    … Whole-of-government approach Flanking Koskei, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the initiative seeks to take government programmes and information directly to communities while strengthening coordination across government. …

    JIM caravan takes govt agenda to grassroots as Koskei calls for stronger public engagement
  3. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 21 — Health PS Mary Muthoni has embarked on a nationwide Jamii Imara Mashinani caravan to amplify the government agenda at the grassroots, hailing President William Ruto’s development record in Rongai. …

    Health PS Muthoni embarks on nationwide caravan to amplify govt agenda
  4. Citizen Digital

    Mother, daughter arrested over alleged Ksh.40 million land fraud scheme By Benjamin Muriuki August 19, 2026 04:59 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Mary Muthoni Njogu and her daughter, Veronica Wambui Ng’ang’ …

    Mother, daughter arrested over alleged Ksh.40 million land fraud scheme
  5. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 19 – Health PS Mary Muthoni has pledged a more data-driven approach to addressing Kenya’s health workforce gaps, including expanding government-backed postgraduate training for health workers and improving the distribution of specialised skills across counties …

    Muthoni: Govt has funds to train health workers in specialised skills
  6. The Standard

    … ed Sh40 million Karatina land fraud. [File, Standard] Mother, daughter arrested over alleged Sh40 million Karatina land fraud A mother and her daughter have been arrested over alleged fraud involving family land in Karatina, Nyeri County, valued at about Sh40 million.Mary Muthoni …

    Mother, daughter arrested over alleged Sh40 million Karatina land fraud
  7. The Standard

    … Speaking at the Health Summit 2026, Principal Secretary State Department for Public Health and Professional Studies Mary Muthoni said the government is focusing on ensuring health facilities had the right number of workers with the appropriate skills. …

    National, County Governments clash over payment of doctors on postgraduate training
  8. The Standard

    … Subscribe to our newsletter“This 29-percentage-point gap reminds us that improving skilled delivery must go hand in hand with improving the quality of newborn care,” said Public Health PS Mary Muthoni, raising a concern with stagnated exclusive breastfeeding rates.Bottle-feeding, …

    Only six out of ten newborns get lifesaving first-hour breast milk
  9. July 2026
  10. Citizen Digital

    Kenya, 10 regional states to strengthen cross-border disease surveillance By Vincent Anguche July 31, 2026 02:24 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Public Health PS Mary Muthoni addresses the press after the N …

    Kenya, 10 regional states to strengthen cross-border disease surveillance
  11. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 26 – Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged young people to reject political exploitation and instead seize government-backed empowerment opportunities, saying peace, unity and a development-conscious agenda are essential to unlocking their f …

    PS Muthoni urges youth to shun political exploitation, embrace opportunities
  12. Capital News

    … Present were Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Governor Sakaja, several MPs and other leaders from Nairobi County. …

    Govt to insure 107,000 Community Health Promoters under SHA this month

Monday 21 September

  1. Over 1,000 Kenyans die annually from snakebites, says health PS

    Over 1,000 Kenyans die from snakebites each year while more than 19,000 have been bitten by reptiles, with rural and pastoral communities bearing the heaviest burden. The Ministry of Health has designated snakebite envenoming as a priority disease and is strengthening surveillance and community health worker training in affected counties.

    21 September 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 18 September

  1. Farmer's widow and brother plead not guilty to murder

    Mary Muthoni and Michael Maina Karembesha have denied murdering Joseph Njenga, a farmer and businessman, who died on the night of July 29–30 in Trans Nzoia County. The prosecution opposed their bail release citing potential witness interference, while the defence argued for lenient bail terms.

    18 September 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Over 300 Kenyan nurses to attend annual KNAA conference

    More than 300 Kenyan nurses will attend the 2026 KNAA National Nursing Conference in Maryland on September 17–19, the association's largest gathering to date. The three-day event will feature professional development, leadership engagement and networking, with sessions covering mental health, HIV treatment, nurse entrepreneurship, and other healthcare topics.

    16 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Farmer's widow and brother ordered to face murder charges

    A Kitale magistrate has ordered the widow and brother of deceased farmer Joseph Njenga Njuguna from Trans Nzoia County to be held in custody until they enter their pleas on Thursday, following a DCI request for more investigation time. The prosecution has found sufficient evidence to charge them with murder under the Penal Code, while two other suspects will be released or serve as prosecution witnesses.

    16 September 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 15 September

  1. Kenya to host 2026 public health conference on disease prevention

    Kenya will host the Kenya Public Health International Conference (KEPHIC 2026) from October 27 to 29 in Nairobi, focusing on disease prevention, surveillance, pandemic preparedness, primary healthcare and climate-related health risks. The conference comes as Kenya monitors mpox, measles, polio cases and prepares for El Niño rains.

    15 September 2026 · Capital News →

Saturday 12 September

  1. Floods risk public health crises beyond immediate infrastructure damage

    A guest opinion warns that floods threaten water contamination, sanitation failure, and disease spread including cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, alongside disrupted health facility access. Kenya must address these risks as the country prepares for El Niño rains.

    12 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 9 September

  1. Government classifies 18 counties as high-risk for El Niño rains

    The government has identified 18 counties as high-risk areas ahead of heavy rains and flooding expected from October, with a multi-agency team already working in Baringo County on evacuation and preparation efforts.

    9 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Young Kenyans aged 15-34 account for 70% of new HIV infections

    Kenya's adolescents face a growing crisis of HIV infections, teenage pregnancy, and sexual and gender-based violence. State and non-state actors gathered at a National Round Table Forum in Nairobi to address the interconnected challenges, warning that urgent and targeted interventions are needed to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.

    9 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  3. Heavy rains forecast for Western Kenya as El Niño conditions begin

    Heavy rains are expected to begin in September and continue through February as El Niño conditions set in, with the government urging riparian residents to relocate to safer areas. The Ministry of Health is launching a mitigation plan in 18 high-risk counties.

    9 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  4. Health Ministry activates El Niño preparedness in 18 counties

    Kenya's Ministry of Health has activated its El Niño preparedness plan in 18 high-risk counties ahead of heavy rains expected during October-December, warning of increased flooding, displacement, and waterborne and vector-borne disease outbreaks. The ministry is seeking support from development and health partners for medical structures, emergency services, health campaigns, water and sanitation interventions, and medical supplies.

    9 September 2026 · Capital News →

Saturday 5 September

  1. Government coordinating El Niño health risks response

    Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said an inter-ministerial committee chaired by the Deputy President is preparing for potential health risks from expected El Niño conditions, advising counties on infrastructure strengthening, emergency preparedness, and measures to prevent disease outbreaks linked to heavy rains.

    5 September 2026 · Capital News →

  2. Mt Kenya officials urge support for Ruto's 2027 re-election bid

    Government officials led by Public Health PS Mary Muthoni rallied Mt Kenya residents behind President Ruto during a public engagement in Nyeri, citing development projects and urging voters to disregard political propaganda ahead of his second-term bid in 2027.

    5 September 2026 · Capital News →

  3. Nyeri governor urges SHA registration, warns against politicising healthcare

    Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has called on residents to register for the Social Health Authority (SHA), arguing that healthcare access should not be treated as a political issue. He noted that nearly 507,000 people in Nyeri had registered for SHA, with the figure approaching 600,000, and praised Community Health Promoters for reducing disease burden.

    5 September 2026 · Capital News →

  4. Health PS warns leaders against politicising healthcare in Nyeri

    Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged leaders to keep politics out of healthcare during the government's Jamii Imara Mashinani community engagement tour in Nyeri, saying healthcare is too sensitive for political messaging and calling on Kenyans to take precautions against infectious diseases and seek care when necessary.

    5 September 2026 · Capital News →

Thursday 3 September

  1. Waiguru rejects alignment with Gachagua, reaffirms Ruto support

    Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said she will not align with Democracy for the Citizens leader Rigathi Gachagua, stating she has kept a low profile for six weeks and will not join camps that "chase and deny people microphones." Her remarks appeared to reference an incident in which a former Kirinyaga Woman Representative was denied a microphone during a Gachagua visit to the county.

    3 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 31 August

  1. Government allocates Sh396 million for CHPs health cover

    The government has released Sh396 million to the Social Health Authority to provide health cover for all 107,800 Community Health Promoters and their families, following President Ruto's pledge to protect frontline healthcare workers. The cover allows CHPs to access health services from Level 2 hospitals up to Level 6 referral hospitals.

    31 August 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 30 August

  1. Healthcare interns announce strike over unpaid salaries

    Thousands of healthcare interns—including medical officers, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and clinical officers—have threatened to strike from August 31, 2026, over delayed salaries. The interns say the Ministry of Health failed to honour its commitment to pay them by July 25, leaving many struggling to afford basic needs.

    30 August 2026 · The Standard →

Saturday 29 August

  1. MOH launches coordinated plan for El Niño health risks

    Kenya's Ministry of Health has announced a Health Sector El Niño Contingency Plan for the 2026/2027 season to mitigate health risks from anticipated heavy rains, flooding and displacement. The plan brings together national and county governments, emergency agencies, humanitarian organisations and development partners to prevent and respond to flood-related health emergencies, particularly water- and food-borne diseases.

    29 August 2026 · Capital News →

  2. Ministry intensifies dengue response in Garissa and Wajir counties

    The Ministry of Health has stepped up its dengue fever response in Garissa and Wajir counties, where 1,678 cases have been reported as of August 26, with Garissa accounting for 1,583 cumulative cases and Wajir 95 laboratory-confirmed cases. The Ministry maintains heightened surveillance and has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre to contain transmission.

    29 August 2026 · Capital News →

Friday 28 August

  1. Kenya commits to African cross-border health security cooperation

    At the WHO Regional Committee for Africa's 76th session in Addis Ababa, Kenya's Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to working with other African countries to prevent, detect and respond to cross-border health threats, emphasizing that health emergencies do not respect national boundaries.

    28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 21 August

  1. Head of Public Service calls for deeper grassroots engagement

    Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has called for deeper engagement with Kenyans at the grassroots as the government steps up efforts to communicate its development agenda through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Speaking after a meeting of the Jamii Imara Mashinani (JIM) initiative, Koskei said there is room for greater engagement to explain government programmes, listen to public concerns and demonstrate the impact of interventions.

    21 August 2026 · Capital News →

  2. Health PS launches nationwide caravan to communicate government agenda

    Health PS Mary Muthoni has launched a nationwide Jamii Imara Mashinani caravan to take government programmes and information directly to communities at the grassroots level. The initiative aims to communicate the government's progress during its first three years in office and encourage collective effort from government, religious leaders, NGOs, the private sector, and the public in advancing development.

    21 August 2026 · Capital News →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Mother and daughter arrested in Ksh.40 million land fraud case

    Detectives arrested Mary Muthoni Njogu and her daughter Veronica Wambui Ng'ang'a over allegations they fraudulently transferred family land in Karatina into their names and those of associated companies between 2020 and 2023, excluding other family members from the transactions.

    19 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Health PS pledges government funding for worker postgraduate training

    Health PS Mary Muthoni announced the government has funding to support health workers seeking postgraduate training in specialised skills, as part of a data-driven approach to address Kenya's health workforce gaps and improve distribution of personnel across counties.

    19 August 2026 · Capital News →

  3. Mother, daughter arrested in Sh40 million land fraud case

    A mother and daughter have been arrested for allegedly transferring family land valued at about Sh40 million in Karatina, Nyeri County into their names and those of linked companies without other family members' knowledge between 2020 and 2023. They face charges of conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent procurement of title.

    19 August 2026 · The Standard →

  4. National and county governments dispute doctor training payment responsibility

    The national and county governments are in dispute over who should pay doctors undergoing postgraduate training. This conflict emerges as the government seeks to address healthcare worker shortages through increased recruitment, postgraduate training, and improved workforce planning.

    19 August 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 3 August

  1. Only six in ten Kenyan newborns breastfed within first hour

    Only six out of ten babies born in Kenya are breastfed within the first hour of life despite nearly nine in ten deliveries occurring under skilled health workers, experts warn. Early breastfeeding provides colostrum, a nutrient-rich first milk that protects newborns against life-threatening infections when the risk of death is highest.

    3 August 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 31 July

  1. Kenya and 10 IGAD nations to strengthen cross-border disease surveillance

    Kenya and 10 regional countries will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cross-border disease surveillance, data sharing, and coordinated responses to disease outbreaks. The agreement aims to facilitate real-time surveillance, harmonise health measures at border points, and improve joint resource mobilisation during health emergencies.

    31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 26 July

  1. PS Muthoni urges youth to reject political exploitation, access funds

    Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has encouraged young people to avoid being used for divisive politics and instead take advantage of government empowerment programmes such as the Hustler Fund, Nyota Fund and Micro and Small Enterprises programmes to start and grow businesses.

    26 July 2026 · Capital News →

Saturday 25 July

  1. Government to insure 107,000 Community Health Promoters under SHA

    President William Ruto announced that the Government will begin paying medical insurance for all 107,000 Community Health Promoters under the Social Health Authority this month. The National Government will provide 390 million shillings, with counties expected to contribute a similar amount.

    25 July 2026 · Capital News →

Mary Muthoni — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute