Study Shows Need for Stronger Health Policy Enforcement

A recent body of research highlights pervasive weaknesses in implementing health policies in Kenya, underlining a serious gap between well-intentioned reforms and on-the-ground enforcement. A pilot study of health facility inspections in three counties revealed that while a new Joint Health Inspection Checklist (JHIC) and increased inspection frequency significantly improved compliance scores, enforcement mechanisms remain limited.
The study, published in Health Policy and Planning, found that the revised inspection system was more transparent and fair than previous efforts: inspectors used electronic checklists, and inspection results—including facility ratings—were made public. However, constraints like poor logistical planning, unclear lines of authority, licensing bottlenecks, and weak sanctions for non-compliance still undermine enforcement effectiveness.
Another study on budget allocation versus policy priorities shows that financial resources do not always follow national health plan directives. Researchers found that despite stated priorities—like strengthening primary care—funds are often reallocated, spending is delayed, and some allocated money is left unspent due to weak capacity at the local level. This mismatch contributes to the failure of health strategies to translate into meaningful service delivery.
Experts argue that without bolstering both operational capacity and accountability, health policies will continue to falter. They call for more robust regulatory systems, stronger inspections, clearer sanctioning processes, and political commitment to ensure that health reforms actually improve care delivery and patient safety.