The mandate of MOPHS is to support the attainment of the health goals of the people of Kenya by implementing priority interventions in public health, guided by the strategic framework provided from the Medium-Term Plan 2008–2012 and the wider health sector.

The vision of the Ministry is to make Kenya "A nation free from preventable diseases and ill health", through primary health care interventions at individual, household, community and primary health facility levels.

The Mission of the Ministry is to"To provide effective leadership and participate in provision of quality Public Health and Sanitation services that are: equitable, responsive, accessible and accountable to Kenyans."

Priority will be given to scaling up the implementation of interventions aimed at enhancing the equitability of access to public health and sanitation services. Such measures will include:

• improving immunization coverage for children
• ensuring that most deliveries are conducted under the care of skilled health attendants
• reducing morbidity and mortality from malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases