Kenya Minute.
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
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Kenyan press · Organization

Ministry of Health

Also known as: MoH · Israel's Ministry of Health · the Ministry of Health · Kenya's Ministry of Health

Kenyan government health authority overseeing food safety, vaccination, healthcare worker employment, and sector-wide reforms across the country's 47 counties.

2026-04-252026-07-28

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. Capital News

    The judge ruled that state agencies could no longer rely on the lapsed regulations to enforce the ban, declaring unlawful a February 3, 2025 Ministry of Health press statement and an April 14, 2025 directive ordering a nationwide crackdown on shisha outlets.

    Court lifts shisha ban in major blow to government crackdown
  3. The Standard

    Recent Ministry of Health figures, citing GLOBOCAN 2022, estimate about 5,845 new cervical cancer cases and 3,591 deaths in Kenya each year.

    HPV vaccination: Protecting girls today from cervical cancer tomorrow
  4. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeThe Ministry of Health has announced plans to strengthen surveillance and testing of fresh produce across the country after a new study detected pesticide residues in the majority of vegetable samples collected from markets in Nairobi and Nakuru.Responding to fin

    Ministry to tighten food safety after study detects pesticide residues in vegetables
  5. The Standard

    Ruto issued the directive on Saturday at State House, Nairobi, where he hosted a section of Community Health Promoters.The announcement followed complaints from CHPs that diagnostic and medical tool kits distributed earlier by the Ministry of Health had become outdated, hampering

    Ruto orders SHA enrolment for health promoters
  6. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya,Jul 24– The Ministry of Health has intensified preparations for the Kenya Health Summit 2026, bringing together health sector agencies and key government institutions in a bid to forge a unified roadmap for accelerating healthcare reforms and strengthening service

    Health Ministry Rallies agencies ahead of Kenya Health Summit to shape post-2026 reform agenda
  7. The Standard

    Subscribe to our newsletterThe Ministry of Health acknowledged the data gap, saying digitisation of the health sector is central to improving disease surveillance and decision-making."Without data, you really cannot have enough evidence to support decision-making," said Dr Yvette

    Medics sound alarm over growing cases of heart attacks
  8. The Standard

    aw the publication immediately, suspend any steps to implement it, release the expert reports and stakeholder consultations used to justify the changes and convene an urgent forum bringing together dental professionals, universities, professional bodies and the Ministry of Health

    KDA opposes scope-of-practice rules over patient safety concerns
  9. The Standard

    While the Public Service Commission acted on a request by the Ministry of Health to move the staff to counties, the Council of Governors accused the ministry of sabotaging county governments by inciting the health workers to strike.

    The reality of looming health crisis as CoG, Ministry trade blame
  10. The Standard

    The Ministry of Health says the additional supplies will complement ongoing preparedness efforts and improve the country's ability to respond swiftly should a case be detected.The latest support adds to Kenya's broader strategy of working with international partners to enhance re

    India donates 4.5 tonnes of medical supplies to boost Kenya's Ebola preparedness
  11. Capital News

    It also called for an urgent consultative forum bringing together the Ministry of Health, universities, professional associations and other stakeholders to address what it termed the growing threat of dental quackery.

    Dentists reject KMPDC plan to let non-dentists offer dental care
Politics

High Court lifts shisha ban, citing unlawful enforcement

The News

The High Court has lifted Kenya's ban on shisha, ruling that continued enforcement of the prohibition is unlawful and unconstitutional after the government failed to regularise the underlying 2017 regulations within a court-ordered nine-month timeframe. Justice Bahati Mwamuye declared a February 2025 Ministry of Health statement and April 2025 nationwide crackdown directive unlawful, and restrained the government from enforcing the expired regulations.

8 hours ago · Capital News

Today

  1. High Court lifts shisha ban, citing unlawful enforcement

    The High Court has lifted Kenya's ban on shisha, ruling that continued enforcement of the prohibition is unlawful and unconstitutional after the government failed to regularise the underlying 2017 regulations within a court-ordered nine-month timeframe. Justice Bahati Mwamuye declared a February 2025 Ministry of Health statement and April 2025 nationwide crackdown directive unlawful, and restrained the government from enforcing the expired regulations.

    8 hours ago · Capital News

Sunday 26 July

  1. HPV vaccination prevents cervical cancer in Kenyan girls

    Cervical cancer kills roughly 3,591 women annually in Kenya, though modern medicine can prevent it through HPV vaccination. The article explains how persistent high-risk HPV infection causes cervical cancer and argues vaccination is essential for girls to prevent future disease.

    26 July 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 25 July

  1. Ministry tightens food safety after pesticide residues found in vegetables

    A study by the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network, University of Nairobi, and SGS Kenya Laboratories found detectable pesticide residues in most vegetable samples from Nairobi and Nakuru markets, particularly in kale and spinach. The Ministry of Health plans to strengthen surveillance and testing of fresh produce across the country, while noting that the presence of detectable residues does not pose immediate health danger, though long-term cumulative exposure is a concern.

    25 July 2026 · The Standard

  2. Ruto orders SHA enrollment and new kits for community health promoters

    President Ruto directed that all Community Health Promoters receive new screening kits and smartphones within 90 days, and announced enrollment in the Social Health Authority with Sh390 million allocated, with counties to contribute half the amount.

    25 July 2026 · The Standard

Friday 24 July

  1. Health Ministry convenes agencies for 2026 summit on reform agenda

    The Ministry of Health has intensified preparations for the Kenya Health Summit 2026, bringing together health sector agencies and government institutions to forge a unified roadmap for accelerating healthcare reforms. The summit, scheduled for August 18-19, 2026 in Nairobi, will assess progress on health reforms, identify challenges, and agree on priority actions to improve healthcare delivery.

    24 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Cardiologists warn of rising heart failure cases in Kenya

    Experts at Kenya's Cardiac Society annual congress say heart failure is emerging as a major cardiovascular health challenge driven by high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and lifestyle factors, and call for intensified public education and greater investment in cardiovascular research and medicine access.

    24 July 2026 · The Standard

  3. Kenya Dental Association opposes KMPDC scope-of-practice rules

    The Kenya Dental Association has condemned newly published scope-of-practice regulations by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, accusing it of allowing unqualified practitioners to perform advanced dental procedures including root canal treatment, orthodontics, restorative work, advanced surgery, and paediatric dentistry care, which the KDA says require trained dentists only.

    24 July 2026 · The Standard

  4. Health strike enters second day amid UHC governance dispute

    A dispute between the national Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors over Universal Health Coverage is affecting medical service provision as a health workers' strike continued. The Ministry requested the Public Service Commission move staff to counties, while the CoG accused the Ministry of sabotaging county governments by inciting the strike.

    24 July 2026 · The Standard

  5. India donates 4.5 tonnes medical supplies for Kenya Ebola preparedness

    Kenya received 4.5 tonnes of medical supplies from India, including personal protective equipment, emergency medical supplies and response kits, to strengthen its preparedness against Ebola as the country remains on high alert over the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    24 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 23 July

  1. Dentists threaten legal action over KMPDC non-dentist care plan

    The Kenya Dental Association has threatened legal action against the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council over a purported scope of practice that would allow non-dentists to provide dental care services. The association argues the move is unlawful, poses a threat to patient safety, and cannot be altered through administrative notices without proper legislative processes and consultation with the dental profession.

    23 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. KDA opposes KMPDC dental scope allowing unqualified practitioners

    The Kenya Dental Association has strongly opposed a newly published scope of practice by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, saying it would allow unqualified individuals to perform dental procedures that should only be carried out by trained dentists. The KDA argues the scope of clinical dental practice cannot be expanded through administrative notices without following required legislative and regulatory processes.

    23 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Council of Governors blames Health Ministry for worker strikes

    Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi accused the Ministry of Health of fuelling health worker strikes by failing to honour funding and administrative agreements, insisting county governments are being unfairly blamed for public healthcare disruptions. Abdullahi said counties will begin paying doctors revised Collective Bargaining Agreement rates from August after recently obtaining a special payroll code from the Ministry of Public Service.

    23 July 2026 · Capital News

  4. Health unions accuse governors of failing UHC worker commitments

    Health unions blamed county governments for an ongoing nationwide strike by Universal Health Coverage workers, accusing governors of failing to implement an Sh8.9 billion budget allocation meant to transition healthcare workers to permanent and pensionable terms. The strike, now in its third day, saw union members demanding implementation of employment agreements, permanent and pensionable appointment letters, inclusion in July payroll, and recognition agreements.

    23 July 2026 · Capital News

  5. Developer launches Sh2 billion serviced apartments in Gigiri

    Kenyan entrepreneur Mohamed Bishar has launched the Silva Gigiri project, a Sh2 billion serviced apartments development along UN Crescent targeting UN personnel, expatriates, diplomats and professionals, expected to take 30–36 months to completion. The developer has partnered with Bahrain-based Gulf Hotels Group to manage hospitality operations once construction is complete.

    23 July 2026 · The Standard

  6. Nurses threaten nationwide strike from July 29

    The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives issued a seven-day strike notice on July 23, threatening to withdraw services nationwide from July 29 unless national and county governments resolve long-standing labour grievances including collective bargaining rights, delayed promotions, and absorption of UHC workers into permanent terms.

    23 July 2026 · The Standard

  7. Kenya Dental Association opposes KMPDC scope-of-practice proposal

    The Kenya Dental Association has condemned a KMPDC publication proposing an expanded scope of practice, claiming it would allow unqualified individuals to provide dental care and was undertaken without meaningful consultation. The association calls the move unlawful and an abuse of statutory power, demanding immediate withdrawal and suspension of implementation.

    23 July 2026 · The Standard

  8. CoG directs counties to reject Health Ministry UHC worker directive

    The Council of Governors has instructed County Public Service Boards to ignore a Ministry of Health directive to absorb UHC workers on permanent and pensionable terms. CoG Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi said the Sh8.9 billion allocated to counties for UHC workers covers only one financial year, and counties cannot commit to permanent employment without clarity on future funding sources.

    23 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 22 July

  1. SHA penalizes clinics failing to dispense prescribed medicines

    The Social Health Authority has announced a new reimbursement model that will reduce payments to contracted primary healthcare facilities that fail to dispense prescribed medicines, aiming to ensure patients receive the full range of services covered under the Primary Healthcare Fund. SHA will monitor each facility's medicine-dispensing rate through the Digital Health Agency platform and reimburse based on services delivered.

    22 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Kenyan petitions Parliament to recognize erectile dysfunction as disability

    Dr Benson Kibore has petitioned Parliament to recognise irreversible erectile dysfunction as a disability, arguing that doing so would shift the conversation from stigma to healthcare and enable affected men to access better medical and psychological support.

    22 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Health workers escalate strike with daily nationwide protests

    Health Unions Caucus members begin daily street demonstrations across all 47 counties as their nationwide strike enters its third day, demanding conversion of UHC workers to permanent and pensionable terms, inclusion in July payroll, implementation of the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement, and signing of recognition agreements.

    22 July 2026 · Capital News

  4. Kenya hosts major East Africa healthcare trade expo in September

    Kenya is positioning itself as East Africa's healthcare distribution hub, with the World Health Expo expected to bring over 5,500 industry players to Nairobi on September 16–18. The three-day event at KICC will feature over 200 exhibitors from more than 30 countries as East Africa's healthcare market is projected to grow from USD 16.8 billion in 2025 to USD 23.6 billion by 2034.

    22 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  5. New Ksh.2B luxury apartment complex breaks ground in Gigiri

    A new Ksh.2 billion luxury apartment development called Silva Gigiri has broken ground in Nairobi's Gigiri area along UN Crescent, targeting UN staff, diplomats, expatriates and professionals, with construction expected to take 30–36 months. The project is being undertaken by Kenyan entrepreneur Mohamed Bishar in partnership with Bahrain-based Gulf Hotels Group, which will manage its hospitality operations.

    22 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Healthcare workers strike over UHC staff permanent employment

    Medical practitioners across Kenya began a nationwide strike at midnight on July 20, 2026, after months of failed negotiations over the government's failure to absorb Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent and pensionable terms. The strike is expected to cripple healthcare delivery in all 47 counties.

    21 July 2026 · The Standard

Monday 20 July

  1. Kenya, UK reaffirm healthcare cooperation partnership

    Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and British High Commissioner Matt Baugh held bilateral talks to discuss expanding cooperation on universal health coverage, workforce development, epidemic preparedness and digital health transformation, with focus on Kenya's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda health reforms and the Kenya–UK Health Workforce Partnership.

    20 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Kenya's health system neglects infertile couples, advocacy groups say

    An opinion piece argues that Kenya's public healthcare system treats infertility as a "lifestyle choice" rather than a medical condition, leaving affected families in debt despite one in four couples experiencing subfertility. The author calls for state funding of reproductive health treatments and removal of barriers to assisted reproductive technology.

    20 July 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 19 July

  1. Kenya reports 80% rise in adolescent HPV vaccination coverage

    Kenya recorded 472,845 adolescent girls receiving at least one HPV vaccine dose between January and June 2026, up from 258,698 in the same period last year, bringing coverage to 69 per cent of eligible girls. The increase reflects intensified efforts by the Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF, WHO and other partners to protect girls against cervical cancer.

    19 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 16 July

  1. Kenya launches unified emergency medical response system in July

    Kenya is rolling out a centralized National Ambulance Dispatch Centre at the Social Health Authority headquarters by end of July, operating SHA 112 Lifeline as a single emergency number coordinating ambulance services nationwide. The platform has integrated 97 accredited ambulances with 186 total registered ahead of the national rollout.

    16 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Nyandarua man diagnosed with autism advocates for early intervention

    Joseph Gachau, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in his late twenties, is raising awareness in Nyandarua about the condition and encouraging caregivers to seek early medical attention. Disability advocates note that access to autism screening and diagnosis remains uneven in Kenya, particularly outside major urban centres.

    16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Kenya, US sign five-year USD1.6 billion health cooperation agreement

    Kenya and the United States have signed a five-year health cooperation agreement worth approximately USD1.6 billion (Sh206 billion) to strengthen the country's healthcare system and advance Universal Health Coverage. The Strategic Objective Grant Agreement, signed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi with a US delegation, establishes a framework to guide health cooperation, align US investments with Kenya's health priorities, and strengthen local institutions and infrastructure.

    15 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Kenya plans government wheelchair service for 550,000 unmet needs

    The Ministry of Health is establishing a government-led wheelchair service delivery system to address Kenya's estimated unmet need of about 550,000 wheelchairs. The Principal Secretary for Medical Services chaired a consultative meeting with service providers, manufacturers, and partners to explore local manufacture, tax relief on components, and improved coordination.

    15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Ministry of Health — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute