By Michelle Ndaga
The government is stepping up efforts to strengthen Community Health Promoters (CHPs) as a cornerstone of Kenya’s national health system, recognizing their pivotal role in advancing Primary Health Care (PHC) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards today convened a high-level meeting focused on empowering CHPs through entrepreneurial initiatives.
The discussions centered on strategies to improve their livelihoods while sustaining their vital work as the first point of contact between households and health services.
Key proposals included entrepreneurial training, financial literacy programmes, resource management skills, and small-scale business development support, to be implemented nationwide.
The initiatives will be delivered through partnerships with AMREF Health Africa, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), and government agencies such as the Cooperative and MSME Departments.
Officials emphasized that by enhancing CHPs’ economic resilience, the programme will boost morale, strengthen community–facility linkages, and enable CHPs to deliver preventive care, early disease detection, timely referrals, and health education with even greater commitment.
The move is seen as a significant step in building a robust and sustainable community health system capable of driving Kenya closer to its UHC goals.
