NAIROBI, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday presided over the grand finale of International Nurses Week celebrations in Nairobi, launching key policy and strategic frameworks aimed at strengthening nursing and midwifery practice in Kenya.
Duale also unveiled the Nurses and Midwives Recognition and Awards Scheme, an initiative designed to recognise outstanding service, promote professionalism, and inspire excellence within the nursing workforce.
Theme and Purpose
Held under the theme “Our Nurses, Our Future – Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” the celebrations brought together health leaders, practitioners, and partners to recognise the critical role nurses and midwives play in strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Government Commitment
Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in the nursing workforce through strategic deployment to underserved areas, strengthening professional training and continuous learning, and enhancing collaboration with county governments to improve staffing, welfare, and career progression.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that nurses and midwives remain central to delivering accessible, quality and people-centred healthcare services across the country, applauding them for their resilience, compassion and dedication in serving communities.
Attendees
The event was attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director of Global Community Impact for Sub-Saharan Africa at Johnson & Johnson Foundation Anthony Gitau, Nursing Council of Kenya CEO and Registrar Dr. Lister Onsongo, and the Ministry’s Head of Nursing and Midwifery Services Dr. Judith Awinja, alongside county and national government leaders.
The launches come as Kenya continues to implement its UHC agenda, with the nursing workforce identified as a critical pillar in delivering primary healthcare services, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas where physician availability remains limited.
