LUANDA, Angola — President William Ruto has held discussions with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the sidelines of the 7th African Union–European Union Summit, with the global health body commending Kenya’s approach to universal health coverage (UHC).
According to President Ruto, the WHO chief praised Kenya’s UHC programme for being fully financed through domestic resources—an approach the government says ensures stability, sustainability, and protection from external funding shocks.
“The WHO commended Kenya’s approach to the delivery of Universal Health Coverage because it is funded entirely through domestic resources, which are reliable and free from dependency,” Ruto said in a statement.
Kenya has, over the past year, rolled out four key UHC laws under the Social Health Authority (SHA), marking one of the most far-reaching health financing reforms since independence.
The shift has earned global attention, with the WHO and the Africa CDC citing Kenya as a model for strengthening primary healthcare and expanding medical insurance coverage.
“As Kenya’s universal health coverage programme continues to earn global recognition, we are strengthening the delivery of free primary healthcare and expanding medical cover to make quality and affordable healthcare accessible to all,” Ruto added.
The President also expressed appreciation for WHO’s partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), saying it would reinforce continental health institutions and support efforts to build resilient health systems across Africa.
Kenya’s engagement with WHO comes as the government accelerates UHC implementation amid public debate over health premiums, facility readiness, and staffing levels. The Ministry of Health has maintained that the reforms will reduce out-of-pocket spending, which currently accounts for nearly a third of total health expenditure, according to national data.
Further details of Kenya’s commitments and new cooperation areas with the WHO are expected to be outlined in subsequent briefings from both sides following the summit.
