Kenya Minute.
Friday, 11 September 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 11 September 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 agency responsible for health policy, disease monitoring, and health service coordination, currently managing Mpox response and El Niño preparedness.

2026-04-252026-09-11

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. The Standard

    with the community. “Although there has been significant improvement in neonatal care and a significant decrease in infant mortality over the years, there is still a need for more support in order not to leave any child behind,” said Abuya, an official from the Ministry of Health

    Forty percent of newborns are not breastfed within the first hour, says health experts
  3. The Standard

    nd pensionable terms, with Odhiambo saying funds for the process had already been allocated.He also demanded implementation of career progression guidelines for nurses, saying the guidelines had been developed through a multidisciplinary committee involving the Ministry of Health

    Nurses remain firm as union warns against calls to end strike
  4. July 2026
  5. Capital News

    In Kenya, the studies were carried out at Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital in West Pokot County in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

    WHO approves new kala-azar treatment as Kenya prepares to adopt shorter, safer regimen
  6. Citizen Digital

    The evidence behind these new guidelines came from clinical trials, including those conducted at Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital in Kenya led by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other partners.

    WHO recommends new, improved treatment for Kal-azar
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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

Yesterday

  1. KNCHR warns Kenya's suicide toll may exceed reported estimates

    The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called for urgent action on Kenya's suicide crisis, noting that the Ministry of Health estimates four people die by suicide daily, but cautioning that the true scale is unknown due to the absence of a national suicide registry and persistent stigma.

    10 September 2026 · Capital News

  2. Government's poor communication risks worsening Mpox spread

    The Ministry of Health has confirmed 1,298 Mpox cases and 19 deaths across 40 counties, but The Standard editorial argues that the government's failure to maintain sustained public communication—unlike its approach during Covid-19—leaves citizens uninformed and unable to exercise vigilance against the disease.

    10 September 2026 · The Standard

  3. KNCHR urges Parliament to repeal attempted suicide law

    The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights is calling on the National Assembly to expedite repealing Section 226 of the Penal Code, which criminalises attempted suicide. The commission says the repeal will uphold rights to life, dignity, health and equality, and notes that approximately four Kenyans die by suicide daily according to Health Ministry data.

    10 September 2026 · The Standard

  4. Court awards 11-month-old Sh9.9m for hospital arm amputation

    An 11-month-old baby had his right arm amputated after a tourniquet was left tied for over 24 hours at Wesu Sub-County Hospital in Taita Taveta County, causing gangrene. The court found the hospital's failure to remove the tourniquet constituted medical negligence, and awarded the child Sh9.9 million in compensation.

    10 September 2026 · The Standard

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. 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

  3. 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

  4. Kenya partners with Italian firm to build 15 hospitals

    Kenya has signed a partnership with Italian firm GKSD Group to develop 15 new hospitals across the country, comprising 13 Level 5 county referral hospitals and two Level 6 national teaching and referral hospitals. The agreement, signed at State House Nairobi and witnessed by President Ruto, is part of the Government of Italy's Mattei Plan for Africa partnership framework.

    9 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 8 September

  1. KMPDU threatens strike if nurses' standoff unresolved in seven days

    The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has threatened to issue a strike notice if the ongoing nurses' strike is not resolved within seven days, with KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah warning that disrupted services in public health facilities constitute a national healthcare emergency.

    8 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. NDMA warns of worsening drought in nine Asal counties

    The National Drought Management Authority has warned of deteriorating water, pasture and weather conditions in nine Asal counties including Turkana, Garissa, Baringo, West Pokot, Nyeri, Kitui, Makueni, Tana River and Isiolo, with acute malnutrition remaining a critical concern driven by previous food insecurity and high morbidity levels.

    8 September 2026 · The Standard

  3. Patients' rights group asks Ruto to end nurses strike

    A patients' rights group has called on President William Ruto to intervene in the ongoing strike by nurses and clinical officers, warning that the prolonged disruption of health services is exposing patients to preventable suffering and deaths, particularly pregnant women, newborns, children and those with chronic illnesses.

    8 September 2026 · The Standard

Monday 7 September

  1. Ruto and governors to meet over nurses' strike

    President William Ruto and governors are to hold talks on Monday to resolve the nationwide nurses' strike that has disrupted healthcare services. The meeting will focus on outstanding issues behind the industrial action, with the nurses' strike centred on implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

    7 September 2026 · Capital News

  2. Reliable electricity critical infrastructure for Kenya cancer care

    An opinion piece argues that Kenya's cancer care infrastructure depends on reliable electricity supply, which oncology facilities, diagnostic labs, radiotherapy equipment, and refrigeration systems require continuously. Power outages disrupt treatment and spoil temperature-sensitive medicines; EPRA data shows the average customer interruption at 9.42 hours, above the standard needed for critical services.

    7 September 2026 · The Standard

  3. Hepatitis C linked to drug injection in Lamu County

    Lamu County is recording a high burden of Hepatitis C among people aged 40–70, linked to injection drug use through shared needles. NASCOP estimates Lamu has about 29 per cent Hepatitis C prevalence, among the highest in the country.

    7 September 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 6 September

  1. PPB calls for stricter safety standards on traditional medicines

    The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has called for stronger quality assurance, safety monitoring and scientific research to ensure traditional medicines used in Kenya are safe, effective and of consistent quality, emphasizing accurate dosing, standardised production and clear product labelling.

    6 September 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 5 September

  1. KNCHR urges intervention as nurses' strike disrupts health services

    The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called for urgent intervention to end the nationwide nurses' strike, warning that service disruption is putting patients' lives at risk. The Commission reported 79 deaths between August 31 and September 2, comprising eight maternal, 16 neonatal, and 55 perinatal deaths, though it stressed these figures must be independently verified.

    5 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Nurses strike causes delays, complications in maternity care

    As a nurses' strike continues across Kenya, pregnant women face delays in admission and care, forcing some to wait longer, seek alternative facilities, or return to hospitals only when labour has advanced and complications have developed.

    5 September 2026 · The Standard

  3. Nurses' strike creates health crisis, KNCHR warns Ruto

    Kenya's human rights commission has warned that the nurses' strike has escalated into a public health and human rights crisis, with reports of 79 deaths recorded between Monday and Wednesday (comprising eight maternal, 16 neonatal, and 55 perinatal deaths), though the commission cautioned these figures should be independently verified before linking them to the strike. The commission and a patients' rights group have called on President Ruto to intervene and end the standoff, urging that vulnerable groups including expectant mothers, newborns, and children be placed at the centre of negotiations.

    5 September 2026 · The Standard

Friday 4 September

  1. Health CS defends 2026 pharmacy standards against diploma holder protests

    The Ministry of Health has defended the 2026 Good Pharmacy Practice Standards following demonstrations by diploma-holding pharmacy professionals. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stated that the standards distinguish between pharmacy professionals and facility superintendents, and do not bar diploma or degree holders from practising provided they are duly registered, enrolled, and licensed within their respective legal scope.

    4 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. KNCHR warns nurses' strike poses human rights crisis

    The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has declared the 37-day nurses' strike a national public health and human rights crisis, citing a report of 79 deaths (8 maternal, 16 neonatal, 55 perinatal) between August 31 and September 2, and called for urgent government intervention to restore health services.

    4 September 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 3 September

  1. Ministry of Health prepares for El Nino health crisis

    Kenya's Ministry of Health is stepping up preparations for a possible El Nino-linked health crisis, with expected heavy rains threatening to increase demand for healthcare services and overwhelm facilities.

    3 September 2026 · The Standard

  2. Kenya targets 2028 for traditional medicine mainstream integration

    Kenya has set 2028 as the target to integrate evidence-based traditional medicine into the mainstream healthcare system, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stating the government will not create a parallel system but bring traditional, complementary, and modern medicine together under one healthcare framework, provided traditional practices meet safety, quality, and effectiveness standards. The integration will be guided by the National Traditional Complementary Intervention Medicine Policy, which the Ministry of Health is finalizing and will present to Cabinet for approval after nationwide public participation.

    3 September 2026 · The Standard

  3. MOH activates El Niño contingency plan for health risks

    The Ministry of Health has activated its Health Sector El Niño Contingency Plan to address health risks from projected heavy rains, flooding, and displacement expected to begin next month. The ministry is partnering with the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management to improve supply and delivery of medical products, and has begun issuing public warnings and preparing for potential pandemics and trauma.

    3 September 2026 · The Standard

  4. KMA urges dialogue and systemic reform to resolve nurses' strike

    The Kenya Medical Association has called for urgent dialogue to end the ongoing health workers' strike, warning that service disruptions are putting patients at risk and affecting vulnerable populations. KMA framed recurring strikes as evidence of systemic governance failures and urged governments to establish effective labour relations systems and implement negotiated agreements timeously.

    3 September 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Kenya's healthcare sector accelerates digital technology adoption

    Kenya's healthcare sector is accelerating adoption of digital technologies including artificial intelligence, telemedicine and hospital management systems, driven by the Digital Health Act, 2023 and Ministry of Health initiatives such as the Health Information Exchange and AfyaYangu app.

    2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Kenya expands infant screening for sickle cell disease

    Kenya is stepping up universal infant screening for sickle cell disease, with an estimated 250,000 people living with the condition nationwide and about 14,000 children born with it each year. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the government is expanding screening, strengthening comprehensive care, and training health workers to support early diagnosis and treatment.

    1 September 2026 · Capital News

  2. SHA extends hospital digital health compliance deadline to September 2026

    The Social Health Authority has extended the deadline for healthcare providers to comply with new Health Management Information System (HMIS) requirements to September 30, 2026, as Kenya transitions to a common digital platform for healthcare delivery and financing under the Taifa Care reforms. Facilities facing technical difficulties can seek assistance from the Digital Health Agency.

    1 September 2026 · Capital News

Monday 31 August

  1. Health CS blames counties for UHC staff salary delays

    Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale attributed delayed September salaries for Universal Health Coverage staff to counties' refusal to integrate payroll systems, saying about 12 counties resisted establishing a sustainable payroll mechanism for 7,786 UHC workers. Duale said the ministry has no funds to pay the staff unless counties add them to their payrolls or the ministry receives direct transfers.

    31 August 2026 · The Standard

  2. Kindiki calls for quick end to nurses strike disrupting healthcare

    Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged the Council of Governors, Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives, and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to quickly resolve outstanding issues in the ongoing nurses strike that has paralyzed healthcare services across the country.

    31 August 2026 · The Standard

  3. Counties to absorb UHC workers into permanent, pensionable positions

    During an IBEC session chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, counties agreed to absorb eligible UHC workers into their establishments on permanent and pensionable terms, with the transition financed through County Governments Additional Allocations for 2026/27. The Ministry of Health will be reimbursed for payments made to workers in July and August, and the Public Service Commission will issue uniform guidelines to ensure consistent implementation across counties.

    31 August 2026 · The Standard

Ministry of Health — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute