Governors seek to boost ties with Gates

Governors have called for a more collaborative and direct partnership approach with development partners on various programmes and projects within their respective counties as one way to improve the livelihood of Kenyans.

Through the Council of Governors, the county chiefs have asked for funding of various sectors including primary healthcare initiatives with a view of cascading key interventions, aimed at the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

CoG Chair Anne Waiguru while meeting with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Co-Chair Bill Gates, singled out avenues of collaboration saying the same will go a long way in ensuring counties realize devolution.

In the roundtable meeting, Waiguru asked for support in advocacy programs on reproductive health to reduce adolescent and teenage pregnancy as well as support the establishment of child day-care homes where young mothers can leave their children as they seek education.

“Some proposed areas of partnership with BGMF are in strengthening primary healthcare through interventions such as the capacity building of community health volunteers, traditional birth attendants and through technology such as point of care ultrasound and use of artificial intelligence,” said Waiguru.

In addition, the CoG Chairperson further called for partnership in the efforts in strengthening climate change adaptation initiatives such as the adoption of smart agriculture.