Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has expanded partnerships in the health sector after the County Government entered into an agreement with the M-PESA Foundation to support the construction of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) facilities in Butere and Mumias West sub-counties.
Under the partnership, Manyala Health Centre in Butere and Mumias Level IV Hospital in Mumias West will each receive a new MNCH facility, a move expected to increase their capacity to provide essential healthcare services to mothers, newborns, and children.
Barasa said the partnership would complement investments by the county government and strengthen healthcare infrastructure while bringing essential maternal and child health services closer to residents.
The governor said strategic collaboration with the private sector and development partners remained important in supporting the county’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
“The partnership will complement our investments in healthcare infrastructure and help bring quality maternal and child health services closer to the people of Butere and Mumias West,” Barasa said.
The new facility at Manyala Health Centre is expected to strengthen maternal and newborn services in Butere, while the investment at Mumias Level IV Hospital will enhance its capacity to serve residents of Mumias West and neighbouring areas.
The projects will be managed through consultants engaged by the M-PESA Foundation in collaboration with the County Government of Kakamega.
Barasa said the partnership demonstrated the importance of collaboration in addressing healthcare needs and accelerating the delivery of services to residents.
He noted that the projects would improve access to maternal, newborn, and child healthcare by enabling residents to obtain essential services closer to their homes.
The partnership comes as the Barasa administration continues to pursue collaborations aimed at strengthening service delivery across the county.
The county has also undertaken other health infrastructure initiatives, including the groundbreaking of the Shianda Level 4 Hospital in Mumias East, as part of efforts to expand access to healthcare services.
Barasa said his administration would continue working with strategic partners to supplement county resources and invest in health facilities that respond to the needs of residents.
He said partnerships with development and private-sector players would help accelerate healthcare infrastructure development and improve the quality and accessibility of services across Kakamega County.
The partnership is expected to provide a further boost to maternal and child healthcare in Butere and Mumias West, with the two facilities playing a greater role in improving access to essential health services.
By John Ochanda
