By Dorothy Musyoka
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale presided over the signing of Performance Contracts for the Financial Year 2024/2025 with Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) and Regulatory Bodies under the Ministry of Health.
Speaking during the ceremony, CS Duale emphasized the transformative role of performance contracting in the public sector, describing it as a tool aligned with national priorities.
“We are at a critical juncture in the health sector. The expectations from His Excellency the President and the people of Kenya are high, particularly as we implement the Social Health Insurance (SHI) schemes under TaifaCare,” Duale remarked.
According to the Health Cabinet Secretary, this year’s performance contracts place a strong emphasis on flagship programs, notably the rollout of SHI, a core component of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
The contracts aim to institutionalize a results-oriented culture across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to deliver better health services.
CS Duale called on all SAGAs under the Ministry to uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency, reiterating his commitment to combating corruption in the sector.
He encouraged institutional heads to cascade performance targets to every level of their organizations and ensure regular evaluation of staff based on these targets, noting that this would greatly enhance efficiency and public trust.
Despite previous delays due to validation and vetting processes, the CS acknowledged that many institutions had already commenced implementation, showcasing commitment to the initiative.
He underscored the importance of teamwork, mutual respect and resource efficiency as guiding principles for successful implementation.
Addressing ongoing challenges such as resource limitations and the recent USG Stop Work Order, Hon. Duale urged stakeholders to embrace innovation and prudent resource utilization.
He emphasized the need to support the Ministry’s Planning Department to enhance the accuracy and timeliness of performance reporting.
CS Duale reiterated that the execution of these performance contracts is central to advancing the national Health Agenda, a cornerstone of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He urged all stakeholders to stay focused and dedicated to delivering quality, accessible and affordable healthcare for all Kenyans.