The County Government of Makueni has launched a comprehensive health care initiative to cover at least 11,000 vulnerable households under the Universal Health Care (UHC) programme.
The initiative dubbed Mutula Care and spearheaded by Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. intends to accommodate all the less fortunate members of the society in the county under the universal health cover.
The launch was done by the County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua at Wote Town Multi-Purpose Hall, Green Park in Makueni Subcounty on Thursday.
Ms. Mutua disclosed that they had already registered 10,100 vulnerable families and paid annual Social Insurance premiums.
She assured 1,000 households whose names were wrongly captured that they will be included in the programme adding the County government intended to increase the beneficiaries to 25,000 in due course.
“We did target jointly with the community to identify the most vulnerable households. The government has paid annual premiums ranging between Sh3,600 and Sh15,000 per family. The insurance runs up to May, 2027, when it will be renewed,” she told the media.
The CECM explained that the beneficiaries through the scheme will access outpatient and inpatient services at all public health facilities up to referral hospitals besides getting packaged maternity services, renal treatment, and mental health among other health care services provided under Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
She said previously the government used to do a lot of waivers to vulnerable families who were unable to pay for hospital bills. “Earlier, the government made waivers of huge amounts of money for patients who could not afford to pay for the services,” she said, adding that by ensuring payment for their insurance in advance, these needy patients will access health care without any hindrance.
Mutua further said that each of the registered households will have parents and their dependents below 18 years covered and urged needy residents in the county to enroll in the scheme.
She said free ambulance referral services took effect on July 1, 2026, explaining that patients referred to distant hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital and Kijabe Hospital, will be transported free of charge to lessen medication costs.
By Patrick Nyakundi
