Mwai Kibaki Hospital in Othaya, Nyeri county, will soon be gazetted as a parastatal, President William Ruto has said.

The Head of State in a statement shared via his official X account on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, said the hospital will have a board and an independent budget.

Mwai Kibaki Hospital delinked from KNH

This will ensure more autonomy and efficient service delivery.

“Othaya’s Mwai Kibaki Hospital, an annexe of Kenyatta National Hospital, will be gazetted as a parastatal with a board and an independent budget,” the Head of State said.

Ruto on UHC

President Ruto says the elevation of the hospital, which has been running as an annexe of Kenyatta National Hospital, will ensure the health facility is fully equipped to enable it play its rightful role in the provision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) that will kick off in October this year.

Ruto further pointed out that he had met Members of Parliament from Nyeri county to discuss the programme, among other development projects in the region.

“This elevation will ensure the health facility is fully equipped to enable it play its rightful role in the provision of Universal Health Coverage that begins next month. Met Nyeri MPs, State House Nairobi, and discussed the government’s road, stadia, fresh produce markets and water programmes in the county,” President Ruto stated.

Othaya's Mwai Kibaki Hospital, an annexe of Kenyatta National Hospital, will be gazetted as a parastatal with a board and an independent budget. This elevation will ensure the health facility is fully equipped to enable it play its rightful role in the provision of Universal… pic.twitter.com/pBBCa3G2IH

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) September 18, 2024

Mwai Kibaki Hospital

Previously known as Othaya Level 6 Hospital, the health facility was renamed in 2018 and its operation taken over by the national government, from the Nyeri county government.

The Ksh1 billion medical facility which took over eight years to completion was renamed as Mwai Kibaki Teaching and Referral Hospital as an honor to the late retired president who hails from the area.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

The Government of Kenya has committed to accelerating attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which was started by former President Uhuru Kenyatta as one of his “Big Four” Agenda for enhancing socio-economic development.

UHC aims at ensuring that all Kenyans access and receive essential quality health services without suffering financial hardship. These services include promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services