Ruto vows to weed out healthcare fraud using digital systems
By Faith Lagat, August 7, 2025President William Ruto, on August 7, 2025, flagged off a new phase in Kenya’s healthcare reforms with the launch of an expanded National Equipment Services Programme (NESP), marking a renewed commitment to transparency, efficiency, and fraud elimination in the sector.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the distribution of modern medical equipment to various counties, the Head of State underscored the government’s resolve to clamp down on fraudulent activity within the healthcare system by leveraging digital tools.
“There are those who have exploited our healthcare system for personal gain through fraudulent claims,” Ruto said. “The digital infrastructure we have put in place is secure. It is built not only to deliver services efficiently but also to detect and eliminate fraud.”
Counties to benefit
The revamped Medical Equipment Leasing Programme—anchored in both national and county government frameworks—will see hospitals across the country benefit from advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment without incurring high upfront costs. Instead, counties will adopt a pay-per-service model, a move the President said would promote financial sustainability and equitable access.
“This project is firmly anchored to county and national government,” Ruto noted, emphasising the collaborative nature of the programme.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the initial rollout, which includes 14 CT scans, 2 ultrasound machines, 30 dialysis units, and 1 digital X-ray machine to be distributed across selected counties.
“We’re not only upgrading healthcare infrastructure; we are transforming how medical equipment is procured, utilised, and managed across the country,” Duale said.
He added that the shift toward digital integration would streamline equipment tracking, maintenance, and usage—key elements in minimising waste and improving patient outcomes.
Broader inclusion
Despite the optimism, concerns remain over the equitable distribution of the new equipment. Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki warned that most of the machines would likely end up in level 4 and 5 hospitals, sidelining lower-tier facilities.
“The equipment will find its way to level 4 and 5 hospitals; very few will get to level 3,” Njuki said. He urged the Ministry of Health to broaden its scope, especially in tackling cancer.
“The same way the Ministry thought of a solution to timely diagnosis at all levels, think of a solution in cancer diagnosis that can start at level 2 so that lives can be saved early enough,” he added.
Digital transition
The NESP initiative builds upon the government’s ongoing efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), following key legislation passed in 2023. As the digital transition accelerates, the focus will be on overcoming both technological and logistical hurdles to ensure that quality healthcare reaches even the most underserved areas.
The rollout signals a critical shift toward a transparent, technology-driven healthcare system that places patient welfare and public accountability at its core.