Kenya’s Health Ministry Wins UN SDG Award for UHC Push

The Ministry of Health has won an international award after the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards was recognized at the SDGs Awards 2025.

In a statement on Sunday, December 14, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the award reflects the department’s commitment to maintaining professional standards, and improving public health services in line with the SDGs.

“The State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards has been named the Winner of The SDGs Awards 2025.

“This recognition celebrates our commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through stronger health systems, professional standards, and improved public health services for all,” she said.

Elsewhere, this comes a week after the Ministry of Defence received four top national accolades in recognition of its performance, financial accountability, and leadership in public service.

In a statement on Monday, December 8, Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru said the ministry’s strong showing at the 2025 Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards demonstrated its adherence to high financial standards.

“I am elated as I reflect on the honour recently bestowed upon the Ministry of Defence, which has received four national awards in recognition of its accountability, professionalism, and leadership in public service.

“The Ministry’s exemplary performance at the 2025 Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards, where it was recognised as Overall Winner in the Public Sector Category and Top Performer among all MDAs, demonstrates the effectiveness of sound financial management and institutional discipline,” he said.

Mariru added that two more honours were awarded over the weekend in Kisumu, highlighting the ministry’s continued excellence in public sector reforms and audit performance.

“Over the weekend in Kisumu, the Head of Public Service, Dr. Felix Koskei, conferred two additional awards on the Ministry: the Unmodified Audit Opinion Award and the Leadership in Driving the Public Service Transformation Agenda Robustly in 2025. These honours affirm excellence in fiduciary responsibility and highlight the Ministry’s continued role in supporting MDAs and county governments through strategic infrastructural projects aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” he added.

Mariru noted that the awards were officially handed over to Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya during a ceremony attended by senior officials.

“Today, I had the privilege of formally presenting these awards to the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Hon. Soipan Tuya, at the Defence Headquarters, in a ceremony witnessed by Heads of Departments,” he noted.

Mariru concluded by applauding the dedication of both civilian and uniformed personnel.

“I commend all personnel, civilian and uniformed, for their dedication and professionalism. Building on these accomplishments, we remain committed to shaping a future of integrity, efficiency, and transformative impact across the Defence sector and beyond,” he concluded.