Rachel Ruto calls for stronger partnerships to transform Kenya’s healthcare system
First Lady Rachel Ruto has called for stronger partnerships between government and development partners to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare system, as the country expands efforts to improve access to quality and specialised medical care.
Speaking during the Merck Foundation Alumni Summit 2026 dinner in Nairobi, she said collaborations with international partners have played a key role in building healthcare capacity and improving national health outcomes.
The First Lady revealed that 328 healthcare professionals in Kenya have benefited from scholarships under the Merck Foundation, enabling them to pursue specialised training in critical fields such as oncology, fertility, endocrinology and mental health.
“Through postgraduate training, a new generation of specialists is emerging—equipped to deliver quality care in areas such as oncology, fertility, endocrinology, and mental health—bringing hope closer to communities across the country,” she said.
She urged beneficiaries to go beyond clinical work and embrace preventive healthcare by promoting child nutrition and healthy living practices.
She said this aligns with ongoing government reforms under the Social Health Authority, which emphasise preventive and community-based healthcare.
“That is why I challenge you today to become ambassadors of healthy living,” she said, adding that healthcare workers should also serve as educators and advocates within communities.
“You are no longer only clinicians at the point of illness; you are now educators and advocates for healthier communities,” she noted.
The First Lady also highlighted nutrition-focused initiatives, including the Kitchen Garden Programme, saying they complement national efforts to improve food security and reduce malnutrition.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the government is implementing the Kenya Nutrition Action Plan 2023–2027 to address emerging health challenges, including the growing burden of obesity alongside persistent micronutrient deficiencies.
“We are no longer dealing with undernutrition alone; we are now battling a double burden where rising cases of overweight and obesity coexist with persistent micronutrient deficiencies,” he said.
He added that achieving Universal Health Coverage depends on strengthening the health workforce.
“We cannot achieve universal health coverage without the right human resources in the right place at the right time,” he said.
Merck Foundation Chairman Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp said the organisation is prioritising training, nutrition, and health system strengthening across Africa, noting that the continent still faces a shortage of skilled medical professionals.
CEO Rasha Kelej reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting Kenya through continued training of specialists and empowerment programmes, including initiatives targeting girls’ education and maternal health.
The event highlighted the growing role of public-private partnerships in addressing healthcare gaps and advancing Kenya’s long-term health agenda.
