NAIROBI– In a bold step toward advancing Universal Health Coverage and improving outcomes for children across the region, Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale today presided over the launch of a strategic partnership between Save the Children and Dahabshiil Holdings.
The initiative combines humanitarian expertise with private sector innovation to deliver life-saving health services to vulnerable children in Kenya and across borders.
The partnership reflects the vision of Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17) on strengthening global partnerships and is aligned with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
At its core is a commitment to equity, resilience, and delivering health services to communities that need them most.
“This partnership reflects the spirit of SDG 17 and aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with a strong focus on children and equity,” said CS Duale in his official statement at the event.
Acknowledging the growing cross-border nature of threats to children’s health, Hon. Duale called for enhanced multi-sectoral cooperation across the region.
“Recognizing that threats to children’s well-being are increasingly cross-border, I called for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration through regional bodies like IGAD, with support from WHO, UNICEF and Save the Children, to boost mobile outreach, surveillance and referral systems,” he said.
Presided over the launch of a strategic partnership between Save the Children and Dahabshiil Holdings, bringing together humanitarian expertise and private sector innovation to transform child health across the region.
The partnership reflects the spirit of SDG 17 and aligns… pic.twitter.com/Btkr69yClX
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) June 27, 2025
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted successful, scalable interventions from Kenya’s existing partnership with Save the Children.
These include chlorhexidine cord care for newborns to prevent infections, Kangaroo Mother Care for preterm infants, and integrated school-based health and nutrition programmes that address both immediate and long-term needs of school-going children.
“These are impactful and scalable solutions that not only save lives but also contribute to the long-term development of our communities,” he noted.
Hon. Duale reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to an inclusive, people-centered health system and issued a call to action for counties across Kenya:
“I urged all county health departments to align with national strategies and deliver services to the last mile. Equity must be the foundation of everything we do.”
He also stressed the growing importance of public-private partnerships in transforming health outcomes:
“Public-private partnerships can unlock innovative financing, community-based solutions, and sustainable infrastructure to secure the health and future of our children.”
The event was hosted by Save the Children Somalia Country Director Mohamud Hassan, and co-hosted by Dahabshiil Group CEO Mr. Abdirashid Duale. Also in attendance were Save the Children UK CEO Mr. Moazzam Malik, Wajir South MP Hon. Adow Mohamed, and representatives from development partners and the diplomatic corps.
“Together, we are proving that collaboration is not just a principle—it is a pathway to transformation,” CS Duale concluded.
The partnership represents a promising shift toward integrated, cross-border approaches to child health and demonstrates Kenya’s leadership in fostering regional resilience and equity-driven progress.
