We need Sh1bn for ‘roadside’ declaration projects, says PS

The Health ministry is now pleading with Parliament to allocate Sh1 billion to finance President William Ruto’s “roadside declaration” over the last one year.

Medical Services Principal Secretary Hillary Kimtai on Wednesday made an urgent appeal to MPs to save the projects that now risk being unfunded since they were not captured in the budget.

According to a document tabled by the state department, Ruto had promised millions for the upgrade of 13 public health facilities spread across eight counties.

President Ruto’s administration has seen a growing trend of unbudgeted projects during his two years in office.

Most of these projects are announced during Ruto’s development tours across the country. They are largely seen as a direct response to public request for improved infrastructure in their localities.

“The state department requires Sh1 billion as we continue to receive several presidential directives to fund health facilities across the country,” Kimtai told the health committee of the National Assembly.

The figure could be higher across government departments as this only captured projects under Health ministry.

Kimtai was appearing to defend the ministry’s budget before the health committee which is chaired by Endebess MP Robert Pukose.

Among the key projects now hanging in the balance include Ziwa Subcounty Hospital in Soy, Uasin Gishu county at Sh500 million, Tiret Subcounty Hospital (Uasin Gishu) and Kesses Subcounty Hospital (Uasin Gishu) each at a cost of Sh100 million.

During the year, the President also promised Sh50 million each to Khunyangu Level III Hospital (Butula, Busia county), Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital (Lurambi, Kakamega) and construction of an additional level 4 hospital in Baringo county.

Ruto also directed a Sh20 million upgrade each to Makutani health centre (Tiaty, Baringo North), Kapchemuta health centre (Marakwet West, Elgeyo Marakwet), Masika health centre (Samburu North, Samburu), Lokwamosing health facility (Turkana East, Turkana) and Nakwamoru health centre (Turkana South, Turkana).

The President also pledged Sh20 million each to Arbalo Health Centre (Sigor, West Pokot) and Khwisero Mother and Child Level IV Hospital (Khwisero, Kakamega).

Kimtai also voiced concerns over multi-billion shilling budget cuts that he warned may affect amongst others strategic HIV and AIDS drugs provision in the country.

The health docket had Sh426.8 billion resource requirement in the 2025/26 financial year but was only allocated Sh172.6 billion.

This was even below the Abuja declaration that requires member countries to ring fence 15 per cent of the total budget to health translating to over Sh630 billion.

“We continue to reiterate the need to enhance upwards the budgetary allocation for the state department if we are to deal with the funding challenges we are experiencing,” Kimtai told the committee.

Kimtai at the same time wants Parliament’s intervention to urgently allocate Sh30 billion to procure HIV drugs in the face of USAID funding withdrawal to some critical programmes.

The billions will also be channeled towards human resources for health.