Health care reform in Kenya: a review of the process

Abstract

The paper looks at the process of health care reform in Kenya during the past 30 years, with a focus on implementation strategies. The data are from official documents of the government. The main finding is that development plans served as the medium through which the government announced its intentions as well as its decisions to implement reforms. A decision to implement a reform was normally accompanied by an implementation budget, whereas an announcement of an intention typically lacked such support. Some of the reforms were implemented speedily and firmly, whereas others suffered delays and reversals. Reforms were implemented with speed and firmness when research provided clear guidance on key policy issues or when political will and skill existed. Donor influence on the timing of reforms might have been excessive. Policy lessons from the process are indicated.