Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between the national and county governments to address challenges facing the Social Health Authority (SHA) and other joint development initiatives.
Speaking on Monday during the opening of the 28th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, the Deputy President described Taifa Care, a flagship SHA program, as one of the most significant healthcare reforms in Kenya’s history.
“We are implementing one of the most consequential healthcare programs. Many countries have tried and failed to provide publicly funded universal health systems. Kenya has taken a bold step,” said DP Kindiki.
Progress under SHA has been notable. As of Monday, over 26.5 million Kenyans have registered, with 4.4 million actively contributing, raising sh 70 billion towards universal healthcare.
Services are now available in more than 10,000 approved healthcare facilities across the country.
Leading counties in registration include Mombasa, Bomet, Kirinyaga, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nyeri, while Garissa, Turkana, Isiolo, Marsabit, and West Pokot have recorded the lowest numbers.
To date, sh 59.3 billion has been disbursed under the Social Health Insurance Fund, allocated as follows:
- sh 29.8 billion to private healthcare providers
- sh 13.7 billion to county hospitals
- sh 9.9 billion to faith-based institutions
- sh 5.9 billion to national referral facilities
Kindiki stressed that IBEC serves as the key platform for resolving issues between national and devolved governments, particularly regarding shared and devolved functions.
“IBEC is the cornerstone of dialogue between the two levels of government. It’s the forum where we address emerging and pending issues to ensure efficient service delivery,” he said.
Key topics raised during the session included improving agricultural productivity, accelerating the development of County Industrial and Agricultural Parks, clearing pending bills, and ensuring timely disbursement of funds to counties.
The Deputy President reiterated the importance of protecting and fully implementing devolution, calling it the most transformative element of the 2010 Constitution.
“We must preserve and implement devolution just as we uphold the Constitution,” he affirmed.
He also called for unified efforts across both levels of government to support national development priorities, including macroeconomic stability, value chain reforms, infrastructure development, job creation, and improved health and education services.
“The economy should be seen as an integrated whole. National and county governments must align their priorities for maximum impact,” DP Kindiki concluded.
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