Nairobi, 27th February 2026 – KELIN joined partners at a multi-stakeholder dialogue convened by HELINA in collaboration with the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) to reflect on the future of Health AI in Kenya. The meeting brought together county health leaders from Kisii and Kisumu, private sector innovators, funders, government representatives, and civil society to explore how artificial intelligence can strengthen. rather than fragment, Kenya’s health system.
The conversation was framed around the full-STAC approach (Standards, Technology, Architecture and Content), emphasising that AI solutions must be built on strong digital health foundations and aligned with national priorities. Participants stressed that innovation alone is not enough. Governance, interoperability, procurement alignment, and long-term sustainability must be considered from the outset if Health AI is to move beyond pilots.
Dr. Gregory Ganda, CEC Health, Kisumu County, and Board Member of the Digital Health Agency, cautioned against “pilotitis,” urging partners to embed AI solutions within existing legal and health system structures to enable meaningful scale.
The dialogue also unpacked what “scale” really means in the Kenyan context, whether it refers to increased users, deeper system integration, or measurable health outcomes. Participants raised important questions around data quality, contextual validation, and the need for rigorous evaluation standards comparable to other health interventions.
Pauline Omoto, Program Officer, Health & Governance at KELIN, emphasized the importance of collaboration and accountability as Kenya advances its Health AI agenda.
“Health AI presents real opportunities for strengthening our health systems, but it must be built on trust, inclusion and clear governance frameworks,” she said. “As partners, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that scale does not leave certain counties or communities behind. Innovation should close equity gaps, not widen them, and that requires government, innovators, funders and civil society working together from the beginning.”
The dialogue reinforced the value of HELINA’s Health AI Community of Practice as a space for continued peer learning and coordinated action. For KELIN, the engagement reflects its commitment to working alongside partners to ensure digital health innovations are legally sound, ethically grounded, and responsive to Kenya’s diverse populations.
KELIN will continue collaborating with stakeholders to help shape a Health AI ecosystem that advances both technological progress and the right to health.
To contribute to the discussion, follow KELIN on our social media platforms.
Twitter: @KELINKenya
http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
For more information, please contact.
Pauline Omoto
Program Officer, Health & Governance
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
Kuwinda Lane, Karen C, off Langáta Road
Email: paulineomoto@kelinkenya.org
