Financial Inclusion Innovations for Climate Related Health Resilience in Kenya

Climate change poses an increasing public health threat in low- and middle-income nations (LMICs), particularly where pre-existing vulnerabilities coincide with healthcare systems that lack sufficient resources. Kenya, characterized by its increasing climate variability and advances in financial inclusion, represents a distinctive example for analyzing the combination of inclusive finance with health adaptation. This paper addresses a significant research gap by investigating how mobile-based savings, credit, and parametric insurance innovations can enhance resilience to health issues related to climate change. Utilizing a narrative synthesis of case studies and policy documents, and based on the adaptive capacity framework, this study examines Kenya’s evolution of digital finance into public health support systems. The creation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) in 2024 introduces a fresh institutional chance to integrate financial solutions into health resilience initiatives. Despite ongoing challenges in gender equity, insurance adoption, and coherence in policy, Kenya’s approach provides valuable lessons for LMICs confronting the dual challenges of climate-related shocks and health vulnerabilities.