Geneva, Switzerland – 20 May, 2025 – At the World Health Assembly, the Community Health Units for Universal Health Coverage (CHU4UHC) a coalition of 26 partners led by the Kenyan Ministry of Health shared how coordinated, government-led partnerships are delivering measurable progress in strengthening Kenya’s health system and accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
Kenya’s story stands out as a powerful example of what’s possible when governments, civil society, and funders unite behind a shared vision. “When governments, civil society, and funders unite behind a shared vision, real systems change becomes possible,” said Ash Rogers, Co-CEO of Lwala Community Alliance.
Founded against a collective action for policy reforms towards strengthening community-led and government-driven health systems, the coalitions’ collaborative efforts have yielded remarkable progress in Kenya’s healthcare landscape.
John Wanyungu, Deputy Head of the Division of Community Health Services at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, underscored the power of collaborative governance, “The success of the CHU4UHC is due to the alignment behind one country-led plan. When government leads with the support of committed partners, the coalition grows stronger and more enduring. By valuing every contribution, we build trust, unity, and a collective power that drives lasting change.”
Some key achievements that are making a real difference in communities across Kenya include championing two crucial pieces of legislation successfully, the Primary Health Care Act and the Facility Improvement Fund Act, passed in 2023. These laws have anchored community health within Kenya’s national health system.
They have also made significant strides in modernizing healthcare delivery. The electronic Community Health Information System, which the CHU4UHC helped develop and implement, is now allowing real-time tracking of health data through Community Health Workers. This means care can be provided more efficiently and effectively than ever before.
“We’re proud to have been part of Kenya’s journey to professionalize community health. In just 10 years, we’ve moved from a system of community health volunteers—often unpaid and relying on paper-based tools—to a nationally integrated workforce of community health promoters who are digitally equipped and compensated, said Thomas Opiyo Onyango, Kenya Country Director at Living Goods.Joint advocacy led to standardized stipends for Community Health Workers (CHWS) across all 47 counties, recognising and reinforcing their essential role.
Finally, the Coalition is putting power back into the hands of community members. New resources such as the Community Health Committee Curriculum and Kenya Community Scorecard Guidelines are empowering communities to play a more active role in shaping local health outcomes. The coalition has also introduced a new Integrated Community Health Curriculum. This curriculum equips Kenya’s 107,000 CHWS with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to lead sustainable health improvements at the community level. It reflects Kenya’s diverse contexts and addresses preventive care, health education, community mobilization, and effective communication—ensuring CHPs can meet community needs today and into the future.
Julius Mbeya, Co-CEO of Lwala Community Alliance and Chair of the CHU4UHC, emphasizes the importance of maintaining momentum: “Our greatest responsibility now is to safeguard these gains and ensure they are not undone. The collective action of coalition members is needed more now than ever.”
Reflecting on CHU4UHC’s journey, we see the growing impact of empowering frontline health workers, improving health financing, and advancing digital health innovations. As global health leaders gather at the WHA, we are reminded of the power of community-rooted, government-led solutions in strengthening health systems. Now is the moment to drive investment in frontline health workers, ensure equity in health access, and institutionalize community health. Kenya’s experience demonstrates that Universal Health Coverage becomes a reality when local leadership is backed by sustained collaboration and collective responsibility among health stakeholders. Join us in the movement for community-driven change.
For more information about CHU4UHC and its initiatives, please contact Nyambura Gitonga [email protected] or Lindah Akoth [email protected]
About CHU4UHC
The Community Health Units for Universal Health Coverage (CHU4UHC) is a collaborative partnership of community health organisations in Kenya, dedicated to enhancing primary health care and advancing the government’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Driven and owned by the Ministry of Health, the approach ensures that all efforts align with national health priorities and have the support needed for long- term success. It is supported by the Johnson and Johnson Center for Health Worker Innovation and The Elma Philanthropies.