Sustainable financing for health systems remains a challenge, worsened by the withdrawal of external funds. The lesson is clear: ownership matters, and when communities set priorities and monitor resources, resilience grows. Kenya is advancing Universal Health Coverage to guarantee access for all: enacting four new laws on social health insurance, empowering over 100,000 community health promoters with medicines, tools, and stipends, strengthening participatory budgeting through digital platforms, and reinforcing primary health care networks. These reforms ensure no one is left behind. We call on the global community to invest not only in medicines and infrastructure, but in the democratic right of citizens to shape their health and future. Addressed a side event on social participation in health equity and resilient societies, co-hosted by Slovenia and the WHO at the 80th UNGA in New York.(William Samoei Ruto, PhD)