By [Nyambura Gitonga]
At the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, the CHU4UHC platform convened a high-level side session titled “The Power of Partnership: Uniting for Universal Health Coverage in Kenya.” The conversation brought together government leaders, county health executives, global health experts, civil society, and most importantly, the Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who are the backbone of primary health care in Kenya.
The goal was clear: to show how partnerships are not just supporting community health, but actively shaping it into a sustainable, equitable, and results-driven system that brings Universal Health Coverage (UHC) within reach.
Political Will Meets Partnership Action
“For the first time, health is a pillar for economic development in our national agenda. That’s political goodwill unlocking the scale-up of CHPs.” – Dr. Sultan Matendechero, Ministry of Health
Dr. Sultan, speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, outlined how the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda has made health a central economic priority. This political commitment, he noted, has opened the door for the professionalization, digitization and resourcing of CHPs at a scale Kenya has not seen before.
From the enactment of the PHC Act 2023 to the rollout of the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS), government actions supported by strong partner collaboration are creating the systems needed for CHPs to thrive
Unified Strategy, Local Innovation
“When partners align behind one strategy, we move faster. Kenya’s CHP program is integrated, digitized, and funded jointly by national & county governments — that’s why it stands out.” – Anthony Gitau, Johnson & Johnson
The national CHP strategy has created a shared framework for implementation while allowing counties to adapt to local realities.
Dr. Ganda, representing Kisumu County, highlighted how this looks on the ground:
- GIS mapping of pregnant mothers to improve targeted service delivery
- Integration of CHPs into Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
- Leveraging partnerships to train, equip, and connect CHPs
“Local innovation plus partner support is what makes health systems resilient.” – Dr. Ganda
From Grassroots to Policy Change
“Development partners gave us the courage to invest, test, and scale community health. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are.” – Dr. Meshack Ndirangu, Amref Health Africa
Through CHU4UHC’s coalition model, uniting 30+ partners, Kenya has moved from fragmented community health programs to a unified national approach. This has resulted in:
- Over 107,000 CHPs trained, kitted, digitized, and receiving stipends
- Digital tools enabling real-time monitoring of CHP impact
- Stronger alignment between national policy and county implementation
The Human Face of Impact
“Nothing for CHPs without a CHP!” – Margaret Odera, Community Health Promoter
Margaret’s story was the heart of the session. Once, a young woman living with HIV and facing intense stigma, she was reached by a persistent community health volunteer who refused to give up on her. That intervention saved her life and inspired her to dedicate her own career to supporting pregnant and lactating mothers, particularly those living with HIV.
Her work today, supported by training, digital tools, and a stipend, ensures that newborns get prophylaxis, mothers are linked to care, and families receive critical health education. Margaret’s journey is living proof that partnership investments in CHPs translate directly into lives saved.
From Legacy Projects to Generational Change
“We moved from legacy projects to generational projects: facilities with people, medicines & services because partners held us accountable.” – Wendo, Dandelion Africa
The session closed with a call for sustainability:
- Equitable CHP distribution based on workload and geography
- Ending unused infrastructure projects
- Ensuring consistent funding and political commitment across election cycles
A Collective Call to Action
The consensus in the room was clear: Kenya’s community health success story is being written not by one actor, but by the combined power of partners national and county governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and CHPs themselves.
“The true power of partnerships is when national, county, community & global actors work from one playbook and deliver.” – Dr. Meshack Ndirangu
Kenya now has a blueprint: political will, a unified strategy, local adaptation, and strong partnerships that can take UHC from aspiration to reality.