The scale of the recruitment mirrors the scale of the digital transformation currently reshaping the Kenyan health sector. At the core of this shift is the Afya Yangu platform, which provides individuals with a digital health record and facilitates the movement of patient data between health facilities. As of the agency’s recent reporting, the platform is operating in 17 counties, with approximately 50,000 Kenyans registering for health services daily from their homes. This volume of daily interactions places immense pressure on the systems managing data integrity, security, and user experience. Consequently, the DHA is seeking to fill key leadership roles, including sixteen director-level positions: one Director of Corporate Services, thirteen Deputy Directors, and two Assistant Directors. These senior roles cover critical technical and administrative domains, such as digital health informatics, standards and compliance, certification, enterprise infrastructure, and cyber security. The inclusion of specific Deputy Director posts for cyber security and enterprise infrastructure underscores the agency’s recognition that the security and reliability of health data are as vital as the data itself.
Beyond leadership, the recruitment targets a robust technical workforce. The largest single intake consists of six Digital Health Assistants (Grade DHA 9), alongside three Information Communication Technology (ICT) Officers (Grade DHA 7). Other technical and operational roles include Senior Digital Health Officers, Digital Health Officer II, ICT Officer II, and positions in legal affairs, finance, accounting, supply chain, and planning. This breadth of roles suggests that the DHA is moving beyond pilot programs toward a comprehensive, sustainable operational model. The agency is particularly focused on strengthening its capacity in human resource management, internal audit, and corporate communications, areas essential for maintaining public trust and regulatory compliance as the system scales nationwide.
The urgency of this recruitment is contextualized by recent major milestones in Kenya’s digital health journey. In August 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale launched a five-year DHA Strategic Plan and a Certification Framework for Digitisation at the ninth Devolution Conference in Homa Bay. During this launch, agency chief Anthony Lenaiyara highlighted the operational success of the Afya Yangu platform, citing the daily registration figures. More recently, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the DHA collaborated to launch Africa’s first Digital Health ID and expand biometric registration to dependants aged 7–17. This expansion represents a significant “Taifa Care” milestone, integrating a wider segment of the population into the national health information exchange. By linking biometric data to health records, the system aims to reduce fraud, ensure accurate patient identification, and enable seamless continuity of care across different facilities.
The integration of the national health information exchange and the Taifa Care system into this year’s rollout further illustrates the expanding scope of the DHA’s mandate. These systems are designed to create a unified digital environment where patient data is accessible, secure, and interoperable. However, the complexity of managing such a vast network of data points, users, and facilities requires a workforce that is not only technically proficient but also capable of navigating the legal and ethical implications of digital health. The advertised positions in legal affairs and standards and compliance reflect this need for rigorous oversight. As the agency builds its profile, particularly under the board chairperson Silas Simatwo, who was appointed in early 2024, the focus remains on ensuring that the digital health revolution is both inclusive and robust.
Applicants are required to apply online through the DHA website at dha.go.ke/careers, where the full advertisement with job descriptions and specifications is available. The application process is stringent, requiring candidates to submit their curriculum vitae, application letters, national identification cards, academic and professional certificates, testimonials, and documents demonstrating compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution. These latter documents include a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), a Tax Compliance Certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and clearance certificates from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). Additionally, a report from an approved Credit Reference Bureau is required. The agency has explicitly stated that canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Application letters should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Digital Health Agency, P.O. Box 29409-00100, Nairobi.
This recruitment drive is a critical component of Kenya’s broader strategy to transform its health sector. By investing in human capital across technical, legal, and administrative domains, the DHA is laying the groundwork for a health system that is not only digitally connected but also accountable and transparent. The success of initiatives like the Afya Yangu platform and the Digital Health ID depends heavily on the capacity of the institution overseeing them. As the deadline for applications approaches on December 1, 2026, the outcome of this recruitment process will be a key indicator of the DHA’s readiness to manage the next phase of Kenya’s digital health evolution. The agency’s ability to attract and retain qualified professionals in these diverse fields will determine how effectively it can deliver on its mandate to provide a comprehensive integrated health information system that serves the needs of the Kenyan population.
