The County Government of Nyeri has announced plans to construct a Level 3A Comprehensive Health Center at Kiawara, Kieni to enhance provision of health services to area residents.
The construction of the facility will be funded by the World Bank under the Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP II). It is a flagship investment under the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
Once complete, the facility is expected to serve at least 50,000 residents who had to travel long distances to seek for health services.
While announcing plans for its construction, Governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga said the move was in line with his administration’s pursuit of expanding health services to every part of the county.
Dr Kahiga stated that under the KIDSP I, the county had made significant milestones in coming up with a number of infrastructure projects including the construction of the Naromoru Level 4 hospital with 175 –bed capacity.
“As a result of the significant milestones achieved under KDSP II, I am pleased to announce that Nyeri County has advanced plans for the construction of the proposed Kiawara Level 3A Comprehensive Health Centre in Kiawara, Kieni West Sub-County.
Once completed, the facility will improve access to quality healthcare services, strengthen referral systems, and enhance preventive and promote healthcare for an estimated catchment population of between 30,000 and 50,000 residents within Kiawara and its immediate neighbouring areas,” Dr Kahiga posted on his Facebook page.
During this current fiscal year, Nyeri plans to inject a total of Sh305 million to finance its health docket out of its Sh8.7 billion budget. Out of this amount, the Department of Health has allocated Sh100 million for purchasing of essential drugs while Sh56 million will be used in constructing an Emergency and Accident wing at the Karatina Hospital.
While pledging his commitment to continue partnering with development partners in uplifting the lives of area residents, the county boss said he will equally ensure funds are utilized prudently.
He singled out the Naromoru Level 4 facility as a testament of his government’s commitment in utilizing funds to the letter in improving services to the public.
“To date, under KDSP II, Nyeri County has received three disbursements following successful Level 1 and Level 2, which is an investment grant that will finance the construction of the Kiawara Level 3A Comprehensive Health Centre,” he stated.
“This builds on the success of the first Kenya Devolution Support Programme I, through which Nyeri County received an investment grant that facilitated the construction of the 175-bed Naromoru Level 4 Hospital. I appreciate the continued partnership between the National Government and the County Government of Nyeri in strengthening devolution and delivering transformative projects that improve the lives of our people.”
Nyeri County had hoped to be considered for a Sh352 million World Bank(WB) funding under the KDSP Level 2. This is after the County wrapped the KDSP II program under Level I which had been allocated a total of Sh72.9 million by the global financer.
Under KDSP I, the County government managed to construct the Level 4 hospital in Naromoru, Kieni sub county, one of its kind in the expansive area.
And in March this year Dr Kahiga stated that he was confident the county will be considered for the second tier funding following a successful implementation of the first phase of the program.
“I am proud to report that Nyeri County successfully met all the Level 1 Minimum Conditions under the Second Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP II), in accordance with the program guidelines and as independently verified by the Independent Verification Assessor from the State Department for Devolution. The Level 2 assessment is expected to be conducted in April 2026, and we look forward to qualifying to receive a reward of Sh352.5 million,” he stated.
KDSP is a four-year program (2024-2027) financed by the WB to support capacity building and technical assistance at five key result areas as identified in the national capacity building framework(NCBF).
This framework was developed in 2013 but later revised in 2015 to cover emerging areas of capacity building like technical assistance, on the job learning and knowledge and learning exchange programs.
While all the 47 counties do sign participation agreements for the program, qualification for funding depends on how well resources are utilized under a two-tier funding model.
Under Level I a county must demonstrate accountability of the funds through published budgets and clean audits. On the other hand, investment grants (Level 2) are disbursed based on performance or Disbursement Link Indicators(DLIs) by counties.
By Samuel Maina
