PHOTO[COURTESY]
The recent USAWA workshop brought together a passionate group of stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector, united by a shared mission: to strengthen healthcare systems in Kenya’s counties. Catherine Changwony, Nakuru County’s Chief Officer of ICT, set the tone, underscoring the urgent need for strategic partnerships that would elevate healthcare delivery across counties. Her words echoed the collective desire to turn vision into action, transforming health services for the communities that need them most.
Transparency and accountability took center stage as Titus Gitonga from Transparency International (TI) called on journalists to champion truth and integrity. He reminded participants that the stories they tell can shape a nation, fostering public trust and holding leadership accountable. Ambrose Kilonzo of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya spoke with deep conviction about empowering faith leaders to promote health at the grassroots level, leveraging their moral influence to inspire change within communities.
From the private sector, Zak Irungu of Global Compact Network Kenya(GCNK) reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to ethical business practices. His call to action was clear: combat fraud and abuse in the health sector, and in doing so, restore faith in healthcare systems.
AMWIK’s Executive Director, Queenter Mbori, and Lorna Sempele brought the focus back to the power of collaboration and transparency, urging all participants to work together for stronger, more accountable health governance. Their words were a reminder that only through united effort can meaningful progress be made.
Professor Silas Oriaso painted a sobering picture of county health communication departments as the workshop progressed, highlighting the resource challenges that hinder their effectiveness. Yet, despite these obstacles, there was a shared determination to overcome them.
One of the most pressing topics was transitioning from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA). Victoria Wachu from SHA addressed the complexities of this shift, calling for clear, empathetic communication to reassure the public and build trust during the transition.
The workshop concluded with powerful discussions on combating healthcare fraud. Participants left with a renewed sense of responsibility, recognizing that integrity and collaboration are the foundations of universal health coverage. Through collective action, they took a significant step toward a future where every Kenyan has access to quality healthcare, driven by transparency and shared purpose.
