The Ministry of Health (MoH) is the government body whose key mandate is to build a progressive, responsive and sustainable healthcare system for accelerated attainment of the highest standard of health to all Kenyans as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

The journey to realizing a healthy, productive and globally competitive nation began in post independent Kenya in 1963 with emphasis on preventive, curative and rehabilitative services.   

Over the years, the Ministry has embraced several policy changes aimed at achieving equitable, affordable, accessible and quality health care for all. This has been realized through increased investment in human resources for health, service delivery, quality assurance and standards, health information research, monitoring and evaluation, health financing, leadership and governance as well as investing in health products and technologies, infrastructure and supply chain.

In 2013, Kenya transitioned into a devolved system of governance comprising two levels: the national government and 47 county governments. Under the new system, the health service delivery function was assigned to county governments while the national government was responsible for health policy and regulatory functions, technical assistance to counties, and management of national referral health facilities.