County medical facilities to receive Sh2.2 billion from Danida

By Roselyne Obala

Kenya: Danish International Development Agencies (Danida) plans to fund county health services to the tune of Sh2.2 billion in the next two years.

The agency announced that county governments would receive Sh733.7million for the current financial year.

The Jubilee government has been on the spot over its delays in facilitating development partners to sponsor county functions and development projects at the grassroots.

Danida has now decided to deal with counties directly instead of funding them through the National Government.

Governors after crying foul over the delays affirmed that this will be the way forward for development partners who wish to support development programs at the grassroots.

Council of Governors (CoG) has welcomed this new engagement, saying it is the only way counties will benefit faster, and improving the living conditions of their constituents.

CoG chairman Isaac Ruto lauded the Danish people for taking the very bold initiative and leading the donor community in re-adjusting to the realities of the new Constitution that devolves health to counties.

Account for revenue

“In God’s name, we must always account for revenue received from the National Government and exercise prudence in financial management,” he said.

The agency will support health services at levels 1,2 and 3 at the rural health facilities.

It will support Kenya through the Kenya Governance Support Program to a tune of Sh2.6 billion.

CoG Health committee chairman Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) welcomed the move by the Danish, saying that it was indeed worrying that the National Treasury was losing billions to corruption yet counties are urgently in need of funds.

“Counties will not follow that trend. Will are going to ensure the funds are put into proper use to improve healthcare provision at the counties,” he assured the donor.

Governor Ranguma also applauded that decision by Danida to sponsor two accountants per county for financial training to ensure proper accounting and accountability in the utilisation of donor funds.

The funds will go directly to the county treasury and remitted directly to all the health facilities to support operations and maintenance which include community outreach, non-drug supplies, minor repairs and refurbishment of the health services, communication, fuel costs and support for staff costs.