Duale Faces Tough Questions as MPs Grill Him Over 2026 Health Budget

Cabinet secretaries and senior government officials streamed into Parliament buildings early Thursday as committees intensified scrutiny of ministerial spending plans ahead of the next financial year.

Lawmakers signalled tough questions over allocations, pending reforms and service delivery gaps that have dogged key sectors in recent months.

In one of the highly anticipated sessions, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health to present the 2026 Budget Policy Statement for the State Department for Medical Services. The committee is chaired by Seme MP James Nyikal.

The session was held at Bunge Towers in Nairobi, where Duale outlined priority areas the ministry intends to fund in the upcoming fiscal year.

He told MPs that the proposed budget seeks to strengthen primary healthcare, enhance disease surveillance and improve staffing levels across public health facilities.

According to Duale, the State Department for Medical Services is focusing on equipping hospitals, expanding access to critical care services and ensuring a stable supply of essential medicines.

He also emphasised the government’s commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), saying resources have been aligned to support ongoing reforms in the health financing framework.

Members of the committee pressed the CS on pending bills owed to hospitals and suppliers, concerns over delays in remitting funds to county facilities and the sustainability of health insurance reforms.

Nyikal challenged the ministry to provide clear timelines on the rollout of key programmes and to address staffing shortages that continue to strain healthcare workers.

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Duale assured lawmakers that the ministry is working closely with the National Treasury to streamline disbursements and prioritise frontline services.

He said digitisation of health systems and improved accountability mechanisms would play a central role in sealing revenue leakages and enhancing efficiency.

The committee also sought clarification on allocations for specialised treatment, including cancer care and renal services, amid rising demand and public complaints over high out of pocket expenses.

MPs urged the ministry to ensure that budgetary provisions translate into tangible improvements in service delivery, especially in rural and underserved areas.

In his presentation, Duale maintained that the 2026 Budget Policy Statement reflects a shift toward preventive healthcare, with increased funding for community health promoters and disease prevention initiatives.

He argued that investing in early detection and primary care would ease pressure on referral hospitals and lower long-term healthcare costs.

The Health Committee is expected to compile its report and recommendations to the House after reviewing submissions from the ministry and other stakeholders.

The deliberations will inform Parliament’s final position on allocations to the health sector in the 2026/2027 financial year.

As scrutiny intensifies, the outcome of these discussions could significantly shape the future of healthcare delivery in Kenya.