The Council of Governors (COG) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have recommitted to strengthening healthcare systems at the county level, following a high-level consultative meeting held in Naivasha. The engagement brought together senior health officials and county representatives, including Kitui County Deputy Governor H.E. Wambua Kanani, who represented Governor Dr. Julius Malombe.
During the meeting, leaders agreed on several key actions aimed at boosting the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare in line with the devolved system of governance. These include:
- Building Resilient Health Systems – Counties will work to enhance their capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies through improved health infrastructure and preparedness.
- Assistive Technology Scale Project – Counties are required to release nominated personnel for training, as the COG and MOH technical teams finalize an inspection report to unlock the national distribution of assistive devices currently held at KEMSA warehouses.
- Medical Waste Management – Phase II of the Medical Waste Microwave Project will be fast-tracked in the remaining 15 counties, with the Ministry of Finance expected to provide operational and infrastructural funding.
- Equitable Posting of Postgraduate Medical Trainees – With 14.8% of county doctors currently in postgraduate training, the forum resolved to ensure fair distribution of training slots, enforce bonding agreements, and align training with county-specific health needs.
- Implementation of Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 – The MOH will provide counties with clear guidelines for budgeting antigen payments, supporting the rollout of the Act in the upcoming financial year.
While delivering Kitui County’s report, Deputy Governor Kanani reiterated the critical role counties play in health delivery:
“Health service delivery is the largest of the devolved functions. As counties, we therefore have an immense responsibility on our shoulders, which requires wide consultation, collaboration, and partnerships to achieve our shared goal of quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare for all.”
The meeting was chaired by COG Health Committee Chair and Tharaka Nithi Governor H.E. Muthomi Njuki, with Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga serving as deputy chair. Health CS Hon. Aden Duale presided over the session, accompanied by Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma Oluga and Ms. Mary Muriuki.
The consultative meeting underlined the strong partnership between national and county governments in transforming Kenya’s health sector, with Kitui County reaffirming its commitment to delivering health services that meet the needs of its residents.
