Kenya Minute.
Thursday, 8 October 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 8 October 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Ouma Oluga

Also known as: Dr Ouma Oluga · Dr. Ouma Oluga · Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga · Dr. Oluga · PS Dr. Ouma Oluga · Dr Oluga · Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga · Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga · Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga · Public Health PS Ouma Oluga

Principal Secretary for Medical Services who has championed healthcare system digitisation, cancer care integration, and transparency in health financing.

2026-04-282026-10-08

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. October 2026
  2. Citizen Digital

    … Ouma Oluga speaking during a past meeting. PHOTO | COURTESY Audio By Vocalize Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. …

    PS Oluga explains how SHA’s new hospital system will track services given to patients
  3. The Standard

    … workforce morale, urging the government to establish a clear framework to regularize staff and modernize regulatory tools.The letter was copied to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga …

    Laboratories in the country go unchecked as virtual inspections raise safety concerns
  4. September 2026
  5. Capital News

    … manufacture the medicine for African markets. “Kenya has been granted a licence to manufacture a groundbreaking HIV prevention pill for African markets, making it one of three countries on the continent set to produce the drug.” Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga …

    Kenya among three African countries licensed to manufacture new HIV prevention pill
  6. The Standard

    … Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga has said maternal and newborn survival requires action beyond the health ministry. …

    Tanzania, Rwanda hailed for fight against maternal deaths at UNGA
  7. Citizen Digital

    … d as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Kenya is treating universal health coverage (UHC) as an economic development agenda rather than a welfare programme, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga …

    PS Oluga outlines Kenya's four-pillar UHC plan at UNGA sidelines
  8. Capital News

    … The meeting was also attended by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, US Embassy Nairobi Charge d’Affaires Carla Benini, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and Pfizer officials. …

    Ruto: Cancer drug prices slashed sevenfold in Pfizer deal
  9. August 2026
  10. Citizen Digital

    … Bourla was accompanied to State House by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, United States Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Susan M Burns, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and Pfizer officials. …

    Kenya strikes Pfizer deal to slash prices of nine cancer treatments
  11. Capital News

    … Other Principal Secretaries at the event Regina Ombam (Trade), Cyril Odede (Public Investment and Asset Management), Dr Boniface Makokha (Economic Planning), Carren Ageng’o (Children Affairs) and Dr Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) also backed the President’s re-election bid. …

    Wandayi leads push to expand Ruto’s Nyanza support base
  12. The Standard

    … Medical Health Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga said the Government through the Social Health Authority had allocated Sh1 billion to support teenage mothers. …

    Homa Bay steps up fight against HIV, teenage pregnancies and GBV
  13. Capital News

    … Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga said the three challenges are interconnected and require a coordinated response involving the health sector, schools, families, communities and Government agencies. …

    Govt targets HIV, Teenage Pregnancies in youth health push

Yesterday

  1. SHA shifts to HMIS to verify hospital services and prevent fraud

    Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga explained that the Social Health Authority's transition from the Provider Portal to Health Management Information Systems will allow SHA to directly access hospital computer systems to verify that claimed services were actually provided to patients, helping curb fraudulent claims by health facilities.

    7 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 1 October

  1. Kenya's 10,000+ labs inspected remotely, raising safety concerns

    More than 10,000 medical and clinical laboratory facilities in Kenya are allegedly being audited through virtual reviews and phone assessments rather than physical inspections, prompting health professionals to question whether equipment, storage, protocols, and personnel can be adequately verified from a distance. An insider warns that facilities are operating with unvalidated diagnostic test kits and without baseline quality control checks.

    1 October 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 28 September

  1. Kenya licensed to manufacture new HIV prevention pill

    Kenya has secured a place in an early licensing arrangement allowing a local pharmaceutical manufacturer to produce a new once-monthly HIV prevention pill before final clinical trials are complete. Universal Corporation Limited, a Kenyan manufacturer, is among seven generic drugmakers granted royalty-free licences by Merck to manufacture generic versions of alimatravir if it proves safe and effective and receives regulatory approval.

    28 September 2026 · Capital News →

Thursday 24 September

  1. Tanzania and Rwanda praised for reducing maternal deaths

    At the United Nations General Assembly, Tanzania and Rwanda have been commended for their efforts to combat maternal mortality. The article frames this praise through the personal story of a Kenyan man whose wife suffered life-threatening bleeding complications after childbirth.

    24 September 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 23 September

  1. Kenya's UHC strategy rests on four pillars, PS Oluga says

    At UNGA, Kenya's Medical Services PS Ouma Oluga outlined a four-pillar universal health coverage plan focused on domestic financing, health workforce, medical commodity access, and health system digitisation, framing UHC as economic development rather than welfare to prevent families from impoverishment through medical costs.

    23 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Kenya secures Pfizer deal cutting cancer drug prices sevenfold

    President Ruto announced a government agreement with Pfizer that will slash prices of medicines for breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate, and oesophageal cancers, as well as leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, by more than seven times in some cases — reducing treatment cycle costs from up to Sh1 million to below Sh50,000. The deal, signed with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, aims to ease patients' financial burden and accelerate access to newer cancer treatments.

    1 September 2026 · Capital News →

Monday 31 August

  1. Kenya and Pfizer agree to cut cancer drug prices

    President Ruto announced a deal with Pfizer that will reduce the cost of medicines for nine cancers — including breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate, oesophageal cancers, leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma — by more than seven times, with some drugs falling from about Ksh.1 million to under Ksh.50,000 per cycle.

    31 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Ruto's allies mobilize in Nyanza for re-election campaign

    Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi led a push in Siaya for voter registration and support for President Ruto's re-election, signaling an aggressive attempt by the President's allies to expand influence in a traditional opposition stronghold. Wandayi told residents that increasing voting numbers would strengthen Siaya's voice in national affairs.

    31 August 2026 · Capital News →

Saturday 29 August

  1. Homa Bay launches programme against HIV, teenage pregnancy, GBV

    Homa Bay County has launched an initiative to combat what public health officials term "triple threat"—HIV and AIDS, teenage pregnancies, and gender-based violence—with adolescents aged 10-19 accounting for 20.6 per cent of new HIV infections in the county. The programme, launched by First Lady Rachel Ruto, involves sensitising adolescents and community leaders and encouraging reporting of incidents to authorities.

    29 August 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 26 August

  1. Government targets HIV, teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence

    The Government is stepping up efforts to tackle new HIV infections, adolescent pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence among young people, which threaten their health, education, and future. The Principal Secretary for Medical Services said the three challenges require coordinated action across health, schools, families, communities, and Government agencies.

    26 August 2026 · Capital News →

  2. First Lady urges action on HIV, pregnancy, gender violence among adolescents

    First Lady Rachel Ruto has called for urgent, coordinated action to address HIV, adolescent pregnancy, and sexual and gender-based violence among adolescents, saying the response must move beyond warnings to include adults who listen and support vulnerable young people.

    26 August 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Health Ministry pushes stronger blood collection and distribution systems

    The Principal Secretary for Medical Services called for stronger and more sustainable blood collection and distribution systems to ensure adequate supplies reach health facilities across the country, citing the need for innovative approaches to blood testing, processing, and distribution.

    25 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Sossion tells MPs union past won't compromise TSC independence

    Former KNUT secretary-general Wilson Sossion, nominated to the Teachers Service Commission, told MPs that his history of confronting the employer on behalf of teachers will not affect his ability to serve independently; he said his union experience could instead strengthen the commission by providing deeper understanding of educators' challenges.

    20 August 2026 · Capital News →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. KEMSA raises medicine availability from 40% to over 90% in public facilities

    The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority has increased its order fill rate from about 40 per cent in 2022 to more than 90 per cent by redesigning its approach around demand, efficiency, predictability, technology and data. KEMSA CEO Dr Waqo Ejersa said the authority consulted stakeholders to understand what health facilities actually needed, moving beyond simply managing nearly 3,800 Stock Keeping Units.

    19 August 2026 · Capital News →

  2. KEMSA increases Order Fill Rate to over 90% through supply chain reforms

    The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority has improved its Order Fill Rate from 40% in 2022 to over 90%, driven by a shift from a push-based supply model to a demand-driven strategy that consults county stakeholders and health facilities on actual needs.

    19 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 17 August

  1. PS Oluga urges linked cancer care from screening to treatment

    Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga called for cancer services anchored in a stronger health system with prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment linked across all levels of care. He said the Social Health Authority should finance the full cancer-care pathway, and that screening programmes must be connected to timely diagnosis, referral and treatment regardless of where patients live or their ability to pay.

    17 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 9 August

  1. PS Oluga calls for transparency in healthcare financing

    Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga has called for Kenya to anchor healthcare financing in transparency and accountability while driving investments in homegrown research and innovation. Speaking at Outspan Teaching and Referral Hospital's 25th anniversary celebrations in Nyeri, Dr. Oluga emphasized the critical role of the Social Health Authority in strengthening healthcare financing systems and ensuring improved reimbursements to healthcare providers.

    9 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 3 August

  1. African countries integrate sickle cell care into health insurance

    African countries including Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Ghana are working to integrate sickle cell disease services into their Universal Health Coverage programmes, with experts emphasizing that sustainable financing, early diagnosis and access to medicines are critical to improving patient outcomes. Health experts said embedding sickle cell care into national health systems and social health insurance schemes rather than relying on donor-funded programmes offers the best opportunity to ensure continuous care.

    3 August 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 30 July

  1. Kenya and UK renew health alliance for five years

    Kenya and the United Kingdom have renewed the Kenya-UK Health Alliance for a further five years through a Memorandum of Understanding covering cooperation in healthcare, research, innovation, trade and investment between 2026 and 2031. The agreement builds on five years of partnership that has strengthened health workforce development, specialist clinical services, cancer care, kidney disease management, research collaboration and academic exchange.

    30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Ogamba urges education focus in Kenya-UK health partnership

    Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has called for education, research and skills development to be the cornerstone of the Kenya-UK health partnership, arguing that universal health coverage depends on a highly skilled healthcare workforce. Since its 2021 establishment, the Kenya-UK Health Alliance has attracted more than £116 million in research and capacity-building investments and trained over 280 Kenyan nurses to international standards.

    29 July 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 27 July

  1. Kenya seeks local vaccine and medicine production with UK

    Kenya's Principal Secretary for Medical Services called for sustainable partnerships with the United Kingdom to strengthen health systems, citing five years of collaboration that has delivered specialized healthcare, cancer services, workforce development, and research gains including PET-CT imaging capacity, endoscopy services, and oncology training.

    27 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Rarieda MP disburses Sh46 million NG-CDF funds to schools and students

    Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo disbursed Sh46 million in National Government-Constituency Development Fund money to support learners and schools in the constituency through bursaries, school bus purchases, and renovation projects. The funds were distributed under the initiative "Fulfilling Education Agenda, Bursaries For All, Rarieda Rising."

    27 July 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 21 July

  1. PS Oluga visits Ghana medical centre to advance simulation learning

    Kenya's Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga toured the Medical Training and Simulation Centre at the University of Ghana Medical Centre to advance technology-driven medical education. The visit, made alongside Ambassador Shem Amadi during the African Union Extraordinary Session, aims to deepen Kenya's push toward simulation-based learning to standardise clinical practice and strengthen patient safety.

    21 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 15 July

  1. 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 →

Sunday 12 July

  1. PS Omollo calls churches to promote peace over political division

    Principal Secretary for Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo has urged religious leaders to ensure church pulpits are used to promote peace, unity, truth and national cohesion rather than political intolerance and divisive rhetoric. He stated that churches should not offer platforms to leaders who preach division, hatred and tribalism.

    12 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. ODM will not field presidential candidate, Oburu says

    ODM leader Oburu Oginga has declared that the party will not field a presidential candidate in the next General Election and will instead support President Ruto's re-election bid. Oburu said the party completed consultations for a pre-election coalition agreement and found Ruto suitable for presidency, citing his incorporation of ODM members in government.

    12 July 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 9 July

  1. SHA, DHA, KEMSA convene to advance healthcare digitization

    The Principal Secretary for Medical Services chaired a meeting of the Healthcare IT Digitization Programme Steering Committee, bringing together the Safaricom Consortium, Digital Health Authority, Social Health Authority, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority and other agencies to review progress on Universal Health Coverage digital transformation and accelerate programme delivery.

    9 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 2 July

  1. Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital becomes independent from KNH

    The Government has officially handed over Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital from Kenyatta National Hospital management, allowing it to operate as an independent national referral hospital. The transition, completed through Legal Notice No. 148 of 2024, aims to expand access to specialised healthcare services and improve efficiency outside Nairobi.

    2 July 2026 · Capital News →

  2. Japan commits KSh3 billion to Kenya's vaccine manufacturing

    Japan has committed KSh3 billion to support Kenya's local vaccine manufacturing programme, with the funding to be channelled through the State Department for Medical Services and KEMRI to strengthen research infrastructure and skills development.

    2 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Kenya health ministry plans August summit on UHC reforms

    The Ministry of Health is preparing for a National Health Summit in early August to deliberate on reforms aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and achieving Universal Health Coverage. Discussions will focus on healthcare financing, human resources, digitisation, commodity security, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, innovation, and strategic partnerships.

    1 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Ouma Oluga — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute