The Ministry of Health will today host the second day of the inaugural Kenya Health Summit 2026, with discussions expected to build on the key issues raised during the opening day.
Day one, attended by President William Ruto and Health CS Aden Duale, culminated in a Presidential Town Hall where Kenyans shared their experiences, concerns and priorities on the ongoing health sector reforms.
The discussions highlighted progress under Universal Health Coverage, including the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has so far onboarded 32.3 million Kenyans, and the deployment of 107,000 Community Health Promoters to strengthen healthcare at the household level.
The government also highlighted investments under the National Equipment Service Programme, including KSh9.8 billion spent on expanding specialised care through diagnostic equipment, 39 CT scanners, 67 renovated and equipped theatres and 157 laboratories.
Other areas highlighted included digital health, telemedicine, the Linda Jamii programme, expansion of surgical capacity at Kenyatta National Hospital and efforts to strengthen the health workforce.
A key focus of the second day is expected to be taking stock of these gains while identifying gaps and practical measures needed to improve access, affordability and quality of healthcare as Kenya advances its Universal Health Coverage agenda.
US Patent and Trademark Office briefing
The US Patent and Trademark to hold a digital press briefing focusing on intellectual property (IP) protection, Africa’s creative economy and its role in driving economic growth.
Katherine Hiner of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will address the media during the virtual briefing.
The discussion will examine how intellectual property protections can support creativity, investment and economic opportunities, with a particular focus on lessons from the US creative economy.
Hiner is also expected to discuss how IP protections have contributed to the growth of the American music industry, and what African countries can learn from the US experience as their creative sectors expand.
Kenya Leather Development Council before parliamentary committee
The Kenya Leather Development Council (KLDC) will today appear before the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture at 11.30 am.
The session will take place at Bunge Towers, where the council is expected to respond to questions from MPs on its operations and financial and administrative matters.
The committee is also likely to use the appearance to examine the council’s performance and its role in developing Kenya’s leather industry, including efforts to support value addition and competitiveness in the sector.
