Sh34bn hospitals planned for counties

The government has set aside more than Sh34 billion for the setting up of two level five hospitals to boost health care in each of the 47 counties in the next four years, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

The hospitals will be at the same level with Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Speaking on Saturday at St Joseph’s Primary School in Kapseret constituency where he presided over a funds drive in aid of women’s groups in the constituency, Mr Ruto praised county governments for their efforts to ensure that wananchi enjoy the fruits of devolution.

“We are happy with what the county governments are doing especially in the devolved function of health. Despite some challenges here and there, governors have done their best. Unlike in the past when our hospitals were grappling with a lot of challenges, they are now fully stocked with drugs and with enough staff,” said Mr Ruto.

He said the Jubilee Government was on course in implementing its campaign manifesto.

The Deputy President also said the government will expand Eldoret airport to boost exports in the agriculture-rich region, adding that plans were also under way for a dual carriageway in Eldoret to decongest the town.

Eldoret airport

Mr Ruto said the Cabinet has already approved the setting up of a referral hospital near Eldoret airport and more than 200 acres of land had already been acquired for the project.
He called for unity in the country and challenged the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) to work with the Government in developing the country.

“There is no Kenya for the government and the opposition; we want to unite all Kenyans irrespective of political and ethnic affiliations. We should put the interests of Kenyans first, not our selfish political interests,” said Mr Ruto.

He added: “We should mobilise resources towards bettering the living standards of our people instead of engaging in empty political rhetoric.”

Mr Ruto said the government has embarked on an ambitious initiative to boost the agricultural sector in the county with more than Sh200 million already set aside for the setting up of bull centres for farmers to acquire AI services at subsidised prices.

He said plans were on course for the setting up of a fertiliser factory in Eldoret to ensure farmers acquire inputs on time during the planting season.

Senator Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed referendum calls by Cord, saying there was no reason for it. “Cord has become a master of double-speak.

They are calling for a national dialogue yet they cannot even manage their own house. They removed Gideon Mung’aro as Parliamentary Deputy Minority Whip just because he worked with the government. What a contradiction?” asked Mr Murkomen.