President William Ruto shaking hands with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula at KICC, Nairobi. [Mate Tongola, Standard]
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has pledged Parliament’s full support for Government reforms aimed at transforming Kenya’s health sector and advancing Universal Health Coverage.
Speaking at the Kenya Health Summit 2026, presided over by President William Ruto, Wetang’ula said effective healthcare delivery required more than hospitals, medicines and equipment, stressing the need for a strong legal and policy framework.
He said Parliament had a critical role to play through legislation, resource allocation and oversight, noting that lawmakers were uniquely placed to understand challenges facing Kenyans because of their regular interaction with citizens.
“We will discuss hospitals, funds, medicines, equipment, systems, and outcomes. Kenya’s Constitution places Parliament at the centre of legislation, resource allocation, and oversight,” Wetang’ula said.
The Speaker traced Kenya’s health financing reforms from the establishment of the National Hospital Insurance Fund in 1966 to the country’s current transition towards Universal Health Coverage.
He said the reforms had been driven by persistent concerns from families struggling with medical bills, emergency admissions, treatment fundraisers and difficulties securing the release of patients and bodies from hospitals and mortuaries.
Wetang’ula highlighted four major health laws enacted in 2023 — the Primary Health Care Act, Facility Improvement Financing Act, Digital Health Act and Social Health Insurance Act.