The transformative Ksh138.1 billion health budget has significant allocations for cancer care, HIV/AIDS programs and maternal health services.
Kenya’s health sector has received a record Ksh138.1 billion allocation in the 2025/26 budget – an 8.74 per cent increase from the previous year’s Ksh127 billion making it the largest health budget boost in the country’s history.
The allocation is part of the government’s ambitious Ksh4.29 trillion national budget, with National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi emphasizing unprecedented focus on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) aimed at reducing treatment costs, improving facilities and saving lives for the entire health system from village dispensaries to the referrals hospitals in major towns and cities.
The allocation will help upgrade hospitals and health centres, provide more medicines and equipment, and support health workers. A significant portion has been set aside for critical areas like cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS programmes, and maternal health.
The government has also allocated money to train more medical staff, expand services under UHC, ensuring more Kenyans can access affordable care.
The biggest beneficiaries include UHC coordination – the Ministry of Health department that oversees UHC planning, monitoring and stakeholder engagement – receiving Ksh6.2 billion, primary healthcare getting Ksh13.1 billion (nearly double last year’s Ksh7.1 billion), and major referral hospitals collectively receiving Ksh42.4 billion.
Disease control programmes received substantial funding, with Ksh17.3 billion allocated for Global Fund programmes targeting HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Additionally, Ksh4.6 billion was allocated for vaccine and immunisation programmes, crucial steps in preventing illnesses and protecting children, especially following the major childhood vaccine shortage crisis.
Cancer care received focused attention with Ksh8 billion dedicated to early diagnosis and emergency management, Ksh5 billion for a critical illness fund managed by the Social Health Authority (SHA), and Ksh1 billion for constructing a cancer centre at Kisii Level 5 Referral Hospital. Additionally, Ksh100 million each will strengthen cancer management at Kenyatta National Hospital and expand comprehensive cancer treatment at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital.
The budget extended compassionate support to vulnerable populations, with Ksh430 million set aside to provide health cover for orphans, the elderly, and people with disabilities, ensuring no one is left behind in the journey towards universal health coverage.
Major referral hospitals – Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital, Mwai Kibaki Hospital in Othaya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital – will collectively receive Ksh42.4 billion to remain well-equipped for complex cases. A further Ksh1.3 billion was allocated for constructing a burns and paediatric centre at Kenyatta National Hospital.
The healthcare system’s backbone received strengthening through Ksh5.2 billion for the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to ensure timely medicine availability, whilst the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) received Ksh2.7 billion for crucial research. Family planning procurement received Ksh500 million, and blood transfusion services were boosted with Ksh300 million.
For ordinary Kenyans, this means more medicines in hospitals, better services, and more doctors and nurses at local clinics. For those struggling with illnesses, the elderly, orphans, people with disabilities, and families in remote areas, it means shorter journeys to hospitals and more accessible healthcare.
The budget also addressed human resources with Ksh4.3 billion set aside for medical interns’ payment, whilst Community Health Promoters (CHPs) – frontline health workers in many communities – will receive Ksh3.2 billion, recognising their invaluable role. Training for health personnel was supported with Ksh303 million, and the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) received Ksh8.9 billion to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.
