Kitui County Health Ministry Highlights Major Milestones and Addresses Media Reports
By YOANA KIMWELE
Kitui County’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation, led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Ruth Koki, has released a comprehensive update on the state of healthcare in the county, detailing major milestones achieved and clarifying recent media reports regarding Kitui County Referral Hospital (KCRH). The press release, issued on October 25, 2025, emphasized the county’s continued commitment to quality and equitable healthcare services for all residents.
According to the statement, Kitui County now boasts 326 health facilities—the highest number in Kenya—comprising 14 hospitals, 54 health centres, and 258 dispensaries. Since the start of the current financial year, 16 new dispensaries have been operationalized, with an additional 25 slated for activation before year-end. The ministry has also strengthened specialized services, including the establishment of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU), Cancer Centre, Haemophilia Clinic, and expansion of dialysis and newborn units.
In infrastructure and equipment, the county has installed an oxygen plant at Mwingi Level 4 Hospital, operationalized maternity wings across multiple sub-counties, and completed outpatient blocks and general theatres in various facilities. The number of operational ambulances has also risen from 17 in 2022 to 28 in 2025. Moreover, the ministry has promoted 1,096 healthcare workers and budgeted for the recruitment of 200 more. Plans are underway to fully automate all 326 health facilities by June 2026 through partnerships with the Kenya Digital Agency and Palladium Kenya.
Addressing recent media reports following a Senate Health Committee visit to KCRH, Ms. Koki clarified concerns over TB patient management, hospital congestion, and the functionality of the mammogram unit. She affirmed that no tuberculosis patients share hospital beds with non-infected patients and assured residents that all raised issues are being handled professionally and transparently.
The ministry further highlighted that the county’s efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure are part of Governor Dr. Julius Makau Malombe’s long-term vision of achieving universal health coverage at the grassroots level. Through the county’s strategic health investment plan, the government aims to ensure that no resident travels long distances to access basic or specialized medical services.
Additionally, Kitui County has prioritized maternal and child health, with new maternity units opened in Kyuso, Nuu, and Nguni sub-county hospitals, among others. Renovations at Miambani, Malalani, and Mbitini health centres have improved delivery conditions, while ongoing construction of the Mother-and-Child Block at Mwingi Level 4 Hospital is expected to significantly boost maternal care capacity once completed.
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has also enhanced drug supply management through the construction of a modern drug store at KCRH and renovation of others in Mwingi, Nuu, and Ikanga. This improvement ensures efficient distribution of medicines and reduces stock-outs, which had previously affected service delivery.
Ms. Koki concluded by thanking all healthcare workers and partners for their dedication and support toward the county’s health agenda. She urged residents to remain patient, support ongoing reforms, and make use of the available health facilities responsibly. “Our collective effort is what will make Kitui a model county in healthcare delivery,” she remarked.
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