Kiambu County residents marked their 60th Jamuhuri Day celebrations at the Kirigiti International Stadium where Governor Kimani Wamatangi and local County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha presided over the colourful event.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Wamatangi said Kiambu has been fortunate to have been among the places that produced individuals who played key roles in securing Kenya’s independence and shaping the nation’s progress after gaining freedom.
“We take immense pride in being the home of Mzee Kenyatta, who not only served as the First Prime Minister in the post-Independence era but later became the President”, he said
He added that this kind of legacy is an integral part of the rich history that should be cherished and honored, saying it is essential that we consistently pay tribute to the remarkable individuals, both men, and women, and take pride in their identity as the people of Kiambu.
The governor touched on some of the projects his administration has initiated in the time he has been in office notably Affordable Healthcare when Kiambu implemented the universal healthcare program to ensure medical access to everyone through the “Kiambu Afya” plan, popularly known as Wamatangi Care.
“Our new Kiambu Afya medical care plan has enhanced benefits, covering chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. We’ve also included a Last Expense Cover, offering Ksh. 100,000 to the family of a deceased member to assist with funeral expenses”, he said.
The Governor further said that the county is on course to ensure that all healthcare facilities are well stocked with over 85 percent of all types of drugs and other non-pharmaceuticals.
“The Central Medical Store in Ruiru, which is nearing completion, will streamline drug distribution for continuous facility stocking”, he said.
He noted that his administration will soon complete the installation and activation of hospital information and management systems in all the health facilities to enhance service delivery.
“We have also embarked on upgrading health facilities across the County, starting with the construction of 13 new level 3 hospitals that will comprise outpatient, inpatient, 16-bed capacity maternity, 10-bed general ward, mini theatre, and mini-laboratory”, he said
Wamatangi explained that the construction of Karuri Level 4 hospital at both Juja and Karuri Level 4 is being done at a cost of Kshs. 250 million each, while they have also commenced the finalization of Thogoto and Bibirioni Level 4 hospitals in Kikuyu and Limuru.
“We are also finalizing Lari Level 4 hospital and Githunguri which will add the bed capacity to over 1,600 beds.
The governor further said that renovations are undergoing at the Kiambu Level Five hospital and other facilities too namely Thika, Kihara, Kigumo, Tigoni, Nyathuna Level Four hospitals, as well as dispensaries at Kamae, Ngoliba, Kinale, Juja Farm, Makongeni, Rironi and Ngorongo.
President Ruto in his speech, delivered by County Commissioner Nkanatha said that the radical transformative plan of universal health coverage has seen the enactments of four Acts of Parliament as well as roll out of 100,000 community health promoters in the County governments.
“I commend counties who have already paid community health promoters and commit that the national government portion will be paid at the end of this month”, the President said.
Over 3000 Kiambu Community Health Promoters (CHPs) who had long been serving as volunteers in October were included in the County workforce, formally recognized by the County laws, and are now receiving a salary of Ksh 5000 each.
By Wangari Ndirangu
