Nakuru County has hosted a high-level inter-county learning exchange visit from the Nyeri County Department of Health. The engagement focused on strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) and Postnatal Care (PNC) systems, with a key focus on Primary Care Networks (PCNs). The visit sought to foster collaboration, share best practices, and advance Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

The visiting delegation from Nyeri engaged with Nakuru County health leadership on several areas of interest. Discussions included the implementation of SMART Urban-Rural PCNs, how to leverage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in operationalizing PHC, innovative methods of improving data management for decision-making, and strategies to scale up Social Health Insurance Enrollment. These areas align with national and county-level health priorities.

The exchange was coordinated by the Nakuru County Department of Health and Services in collaboration with Amref Health Africa in Kenya. The platform created opportunities to showcase Nakuru’s progress in expanding access to primary health care services while also learning from Nyeri’s experiences. Both counties emphasized the importance of partnerships, health financing, and community-based strategies in accelerating UHC implementation.

Leading the Nakuru County team in welcoming the guests were Chief Officer for Public Health Joyce Ncece, Director for Health Administration and Planning Dr. Joy Mugambi, County Chief Nurse Wendy Tirop, and other senior officials from the Department of Health. The team guided the visitors through Nakuru’s ongoing programs and shared lessons on integrated health planning, resource optimization, and patient-centered care models.

The learning exchange also highlighted how Nakuru County is advancing Governor Susan Kihika’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery as outlined in her manifesto. Through investment in PHC, strengthening referral systems, and building partnerships with organizations such as Amref Health Africa, the county is fulfilling the Governor’s promise of ensuring accessible and efficient healthcare for residents.

Governor Kihika’s leadership has also prioritized expansion of health infrastructure and workforce development to support primary care delivery. The ongoing collaboration with other counties is part of her strategy to ensure Nakuru not only implements sustainable health solutions but also contributes to Kenya’s wider UHC goals.

The Nyeri County delegation commended the engagement as a step towards stronger county-to-county collaboration. The lessons drawn from the exchange will inform future strategies to strengthen PHC and PNC systems, enhance service delivery, and support Kenya’s journey toward universal health access.