Kenya took a major step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage with the signing of a landmark partnership with Italian firm GKSD Group for the development of 15 new hospitals across the country.
President William Ruto, who witnessed the signing ceremony at State House Nairobi on Tuesday, said the investment responds to one of the country’s most pressing needs – provision of accessible and quality healthcare to all Kenyans.
The agreement between the Government of Kenya and GKSD Group is under the Government of Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa partnership framework.
In the agreement, 15 hospitals will be developed in 15 counties, comprising 13 Level 5 county referral hospitals and two Level 6 national teaching and referral hospitals. Present were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, GKSD Ghairman Kamel Ghribi, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, governors and other dignitaries from Kenya and Italy.
President Ruto said the investment is critical given Kenya’s hospital capacity. The country currently has 12 hospital beds for every 10,000 people, well below the World Health Organisation’s recommended benchmark of 25 beds.
“By expanding our hospital capacity, strengthening the referral system and bringing specialised services closer to communities, these facilities will accelerate our progress towards Universal Health Coverage,” the President said.
The new hospitals are expected to help decongest major referral facilities, including Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, while bringing advanced diagnostics, specialised surgery, oncology and intensive care services closer to communities.
The President pointed out that the National Treasury will work with the Government of Italy to conclude the financing arrangements while the Ministry of Health is tasked with fast-tracking the technical, regulatory and administrative processes required to kickstart the programme.
He emphasised the need for urgency, transparency and value for money, saying the success of the project will be measured by its impact on Kenyans rather than the agreements signed or infrastructure built.
“Ultimately, the true value of these investments will not be in the agreements we sign or the infrastructure we build, but in the lives we improve: The mother who can access specialised care closer to home and the child who receives treatment when it is needed,” he said.
He added: “We must now move with purpose and urgency from agreement to financing, from financing to construction, and from construction to services that transform lives.”
Under the Mattei Plan for Africa, the partnership is an important pillar of the cooperation between Kenya and Italy, with a focus on investments aimed at strengthening infrastructure, improving livelihoods and supporting long-term economic transformation.
Prof Kindiki said healthcare remains central to the Government’s transformation agenda and is among its top priorities.
He noted that significant progress has been made in the sector, particularly in expanding healthcare infrastructure and modernising facilities and equipment.
The DP called on county governments to work closely with the National Government in consolidating the gains made in healthcare and ensure that investments translate into better services for citizens.
Mr Ghribi said there are clear indications that Kenya is determined to take the provision of healthcare to a new level, and pledged his organisation’s partnership in achieving the objective.
“When I met President Ruto, I looked him in the eye and I realised he is resolute in his commitment to improve the lives of his people,” he said. “We are looking forward to building a better healthcare system for Kenyans.”
He said GKSD Group has extensive experience in the healthcare sector, noting that the organisation operates 68 hospitals in Italy and 90 in Poland, and many others in various countries.l.
He stated that GKSD would draw on this experience, expertise and capacity to support Kenya in expanding access to quality and specialised healthcare.
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