Nyeri: The Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Technology has praised the County Government of Nyeri for implementing the Nyeri Health Services Fund Act, a pioneering law that enables the county to finance healthcare services using revenue from health facilities.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Committee, led by Chair Senator Allan Chesang, visited Nyeri to evaluate the county's use of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and identify challenges related to revenue collection. Senator Chesang commended Nyeri's administration for its unique approach, which allows the county to sustain health operations amid delays in the release of exchequer funds.
The Nyeri County Health Fund Act, operational since 2021, consolidates all revenues from healthcare facilities into a single fund. This system allocates 80 percent of the funds to finance healthcare services, with the remaining 20 percent distributed equitably to various health facilities. The fund ensures continual financial resources for health facilities, enhancing their ability to handle medical and public health emergencies.
The Committee also acknowledged Nyeri's use of digital platforms to boost revenue collection. Nyeri's local revenue has increased from Sh600 million in 2018 to Sh1.45 billion, sourced from 54 different avenues such as parking fees and land rates.
Nyeri Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga expressed gratitude to the Senate for its support in strengthening devolution and highlighted the need for collaboration between devolved units and the Senate. He emphasized the importance of health funding, revealing that the Council of Governors has decided that each county should allocate at least 30 percent of its annual budget to health.
Regarding the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system, Dr. Kahiga urged for its gradual implementation, citing challenges such as inadequate training and limited understanding of its functionality. He stressed the need for phased rollout and proper training to ensure effective adoption of the system.