Africa-Press – Kenya. The Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Ouma Oluga, on Thursday engaged government and private sector stakeholders at the UK–Kenya Business Forum Healthcare Roundtable in Nairobi.
The discussions centred on expanding bilateral investment partnerships to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Held under the theme “Healthcare as a Strategic Growth Sector: UK–Kenya Partnerships for Delivery, Innovation & Investment,” the forum brought together senior Kenyan officials, UK representatives, development partners, private investors, and industry leaders for policy-industry dialogue on healthcare reforms and market opportunities.
Oluga reaffirmed the government’s plan to position healthcare as a strategic sector for economic growth and innovation, citing ongoing health financing reforms, including the transition to Social Health Insurance, and blended financing models to mobilise sustainable capital.
He further highlighted opportunities for UK firms across pharmaceuticals, life sciences, supply chains, logistics, digital health, infrastructure development, and workforce training.
He noted that healthcare digitisation under the Digital Health Strategy and professional skills development through specialist capacity building are critical to strengthening system performance and improving health outcomes.
PS Ouma Oluga during a meeting on January 22, 2026 / HANDOUT
The leaders, governments and sector partners are committed to supporting a modern, inclusive, and technology-enabled health ecosystem that enhances UHC delivery and positions Kenya as a regional healthcare and manufacturing hub.
Oluga, on Tuesday, conducted a working visit to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) headquarters in Nairobi to review research infrastructure and explore ways to align biomedical research with national health priorities supporting Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The visit reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to closer collaboration between policy and science, evidence-based decision-making, and stronger oversight of research to enhance disease surveillance, health innovation, and access to quality care.
Oluga toured key laboratories, research units, and the KEMRI Graduate School, where he was briefed on ongoing work in vaccine research, product development, clinical studies, and capacity building.
He emphasised the need to translate research outputs into tangible health impact and urged greater integration of scientific knowledge into health policy and service delivery.
The Principal Secretary further encouraged KEMRI to strengthen public-private partnerships, research financing, and communication of research value, while supporting reforms that reinforce national development priorities.
Dr Oluga was received by KEMRI Board Chair Abdullahi Ali Ibrahim and Acting Director General Elijah Songok, alongside senior management and research scientists.
