In a historic moment for healthcare in Kenya, FAH proudly participated in the official launch of monthly stipend payments to 107,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), presided over by the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Rigathi Gachgua. The launch, officiated by the DP, alongside Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, Ms. Mary Muriuki, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, and other development partners, and key stakeholders, signifies the national government’s commitment to prioritizing community health and strengthening primary healthcare systems. It acknowledges the crucial role of community health in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) but also clearly demonstrates tangible steps in prioritizing accessible healthcare for all citizens.
FAH commends this bold move to allocate Ksh 3 Billion (approximately $27.3 million USD) and views it as a giant leap towards realizing Primary Health, and UHC by incorporating community health and allocating a substantial budget to support it.
“By honoring our commitment to provide 50% of the budget for the stipend, we are taking significant strides towards ensuring sustainable healthcare financing and improving health outcomes for all Kenyans” said Rigathi .
Speaking during the launch, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said over 13 million Kenyans have directly benefited from the healthcare services provided by CHPs, stationed in every village nationwide. The impact of this initiative is already evident, with over 1.1 million people screened for blood pressure and 50,000 referred to healthcare facilities for further evaluation. These efforts are crucial in reducing health-induced poverty and moving towards achieving universal healthcare, where quality healthcare is accessible to all. 
“We are on course to achieving universal healthcare in Kenya,” remarked PS Mary Muriuki. “This launch marks a huge step forward in our journey towards preventive healthcare measures, which are essential for building healthier communities.”
Echoing this sentiment, CS Susan Nakhumicha, emphasized the critical role of Community Health Promoters in primary healthcare delivery. “CHPs are the backbone of our healthcare system. They work tirelessly to provide essential services at the community level, playing a pivotal role in improving health outcomes and reducing the burden on our healthcare facilities.”
In recognition of the collaborative efforts that have made this milestone possible, the Deputy President extended gratitude to development partners such as FAH, highlighting their pivotal role in realizing the universal healthcare agenda. “We are calling on counties to fulfill and sustain their side of the bargain. Quality healthcare is not a favor to the people but a constitutional right, which we must fulfill together.”
FAH has been a consistent supporter of these initiatives, both directly and indirectly through platforms like Community Health Units for Universal Health Care (CHU4UHC). In 2023 alone, FAH worked to ensure that county-level governments integrated community health costs into their UHC, Primary Health, and Global Health Security policies, thereby enabling them to allocate a total of $7.5 million towards strengthening their CH systems. This funding was utilized for paying stipends, equipping, or training the CHWs, reinforcing the sustainability of such initiatives.
The inclusion of community health costs in governmental policies ensures that the needs of Community Health Workers (CHWs) are integrated into the long-term plans of the government, paving the way for sustainable healthcare solutions. FAH looks forward to further collaboration with the government to strengthen healthcare systems and promote equitable access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
This launch marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey towards achieving universal healthcare, and we remain committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
Highlights of the Launch:
- National government is honoring its commitment by providing 50% of the budget for the stipend.
- Over 13.5 million people have been screened for BP.
- 50,000 have been referred to healthcare facilities following home screenings.
- The launch of the stipend payments to all Community Health Promoters marks a huge step in reducing health-induced poverty.
- For every 1 shilling invested in community health, 9.4 Kenyan shillings in economic and societal benefits.