President Ruto officially opens Kerugoya Level 5 County Referral Hospital

President William Ruto on Tuesday opened the largest medical complex in Kirinyaga County elevating Kerugoya County Referral Hospital from a Level 4 to a Level 5 health facility.

The President, who was accompanied by his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, termed the project as iconic and one that has demonstrated that healthcare is better delivered by county governments. 

 “The healthcare function will and has been better managed by the county governments and if anyone needs a testimony and confirmation of the same, they should see the hospital that has been built by the County Government of Kirinyaga”, said the president.

“A good thing cannot be seen at once but you need a long-term vision to accomplish it,” he added. 

At the same time, President Ruto assured Kenyans that the national government has no interest in taking over the health function from counties.

He said that it will instead support the county governments to deliver quality and affordable healthcare to the people.

“We have a comprehensive plan on how better to address issues surrounding the welfare of medics and we want to have a seamless intergovernmental working relationship that will enable us implement various reforms in the health sector,” Ruto said.

Some of the areas in which the president said the two levels of government will collaborate include equipping of hospitals, formulation of policy and financing framework involving the Facility Improvement Fund and capacity building and remuneration of Community Health Promoters.

He also said that they will form an advisory council that will deal with matters of counties’ medical workers.

She added that it was the culmination of her administration’s effort to improve accessibility and affordability of quality healthcare services to residents of Kirinyaga County.

Some of the services offered at the 341-bed capacity hospital include specialist consultancy in paediatrics, ENT, oncology, dermatology, orthopedics, medical outpatient clinic, surgical outpatient, neuro-pediatric clinic, obstetrics and gynecology. The hospital also has a 12-bed ICU and a 12 HDU and has all its beds fitted with oxygen.

 After touring the hospital, the president promised to support Governor Waiguru by deploying five critical care nurses to work at the new Intensive Care Unit and also help in additional equipment.      

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on his part said that governor Waiguru had not let down the people of Kirinyaga and has lived to her promise of transforming the county.

“She does many things but the hospital will be a lasting legacy in her leadership in Kirinyaga County,” said the DP.

Governor Waiguru said that the accomplishment of the project is a demonstration that devolution works and if adequately supported, counties will be able to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to the citizens. 

“As the Chairperson of the Council of Governors, I can assure you that the devolution of healthcare services has had a significant impact.

"For the last ten years, County Governments have invested heavily in healthcare service delivery, human resource development, equipment of health facilities as well as health infrastructure development. Consequently, over 90% of Kenyan population currently live within five kilometers or one-hour travel time to a health facility,” she said. 

Waiguru thanked the national government for support in terms of technical advice noting that the intergovernmental approach had contributed to the overall delivery of high-quality healthcare facility.

She also thanked the project implementation team that included the county departments of public works, health and finance.

Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Nakumicha Wafula, said that she was very proud of Governor Waiguru not just because she is a woman but because she has demonstrated that women can work.

“My sister Anne, I salute you”, she said. She added that the hospital had been assessed and had met all the requirements for elevation to a level five facility with a Level Fiver Certificate being issued to Governor Waiguru. 

Other leaders present included Governors Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Ndia and Kirinyaga Central Members of Parliament George Kariuki and Gachoki Gitari as well as Kirinyaga MCAs.