Hundreds of residents from Kibirigwi, Ndia Constituency, Kirinyaga County, benefited from the Huduma Kenya mobile program known as Huduma Mashinani staged at Kibirigwi Chief’s Camp, which provided the actual Huduma Center services, benefiting most elderly and other vulnerable people who aren’t able to reach the Kirinyaga Huduma Center at Kerugoya Town.
In the program, officials from government departments and agencies under the Huduma Centre go out into villages and other rural areas and offer services.
The Deputy Manager of Huduma Center Kirinyaga, Mercy Kanyi, stated that collaboration with the county and other stakeholders will improve service delivery to citizens. She urged them to turn out in large numbers to take advantage of the available services.
“We have seen people coming to get services and we are grateful. We would urge the other Kenyans especially Kirinyaga residents to always visit our center or places like this whereby we bring services closer to Mwananchi.”
Kirinyaga County Assembly Speaker Muteti Murimi, who was the key partner with Huduma, said the move will help residents of Kibirigwi with easy access to government services irrespective of location, health, gender, and age. He insisted on the need for sensitization on the need to embrace a social health insurance fund (SHIF).
“This is one of the government’s main agendas of ensuring that we have a healthy nation. Huduma Mashinani is to push our services closer to the people so that they can enjoy the benefits and the fruits of the government,” added Murimi.
The beneficiaries expressed joy of getting services at walking distance, calling for regular scheduling of the program. Cecily Muthoni thanked the stakeholders for bringing services closer to them, adding that the majority of residents have been yearning for the day.
Josephat Mutie, another beneficiary, said the Huduma Mashinani is bringing vital services to them; otherwise, they are forced to travel to Kerugoya for assistance.
Among other services provided during the Huduma Mashinani programs include registration for the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), Social Health Authority (SHA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) services, National Construction Authority (NCA), new identification cards, pension services, NSSF, and birth and death certificates.
In addition, Community Health Promoters provided checkup services at the same venue as other partners, Aster Health Care, did eye checkups.
By Mutai Kipngetich
