Inception Meeting on the Development of a Unified Framework for the Management of Healthcare Specialists in Kenya

In March 2026, the Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council (KHHRAC) convened a key stakeholders inception meeting at the Utalii Hotel, Nairobi, to initiate the development of a Unified Framework for the Management of Healthcare Specialists in Kenya. The initiative is an urgent national priority, responding to deep-rooted challenges that continue to impede effective healthcare delivery across the country.

Kenya's health sector faces persistent workforce shortages, the inequitable distribution of specialists, particularly in rural and underserved areas, inconsistent remuneration and frequent industrial unrest. These challenges are compounded by fragmented policy implementation across national and county governments. The proposed framework seeks to harmonise these policies, creating a more coordinated and effective system for managing health human resources.

The meeting brought together a broad cross-section of stakeholders, spanning across various ministries in government, the Ministry of Health, county governments, professional regulatory bodies, health training institutions and public, private and faith-based healthcare facilities. Their collective participation reflects the multi-sectoral collaboration required to drive meaningful reform in Kenya's health workforce.

Next Steps

KHHRAC will lead the framework development process in close collaboration with all stakeholder groups. Further technical consultations and working sessions are planned in the coming months, with the goal of producing a nationally endorsed framework that strengthens health service delivery across Kenya's devolved governance structure.