Kirinyaga Govenor Joseph Ndathi in a jovial mood as he joined traditional dancers at Kandongu school grounds , Mwea West Sub-County during the Jamhuri Day celebrations yesteday.PHOTO:MUNENE KAMAU/STANDARD

Kirinyaga County is considering withdrawing free maternity services because the National Government has not reimbursed the money spent by county governments on behalf of the Health Ministry.

Governor Joseph Ndathi said of the Sh4.2 billion the Treasury has released for the service, only Sh1.2 billion has so far been sent to the counties.

Speaking at Kandongu Secondary School grounds during the Jamhuri Day celebrations, Ndathi said the counties can no longer afford to provide the free maternity services.

“County governments have exhausted all the funds they had apportioned from other development programmes to cushion the free maternity services and until we receive the money being held at Afya House we can no longer sustain the service,’’ he said.

During the celebrations, ten former freedom fighters were presented with medals for their sacrifice during the fight for independence.