The Council of Governors (CoG), under the leadership of Chairperson and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, has issued a strong appeal to the National Government, demanding the immediate release of funds necessary to support devolved healthcare services across the counties.
Addressing a press conference on Monday at Delta House in Nairobi, Governor Abdullahi expressed deep concern over the delay in disbursement of critical health sector finances, warning that counties cannot be expected to absorb new healthcare workers without the requisite funding.
“We are calling on the National Treasury to immediately disburse the funds earmarked for healthcare. Counties cannot be forced to take up additional responsibilities, such as employment of health personnel, without the necessary budgetary support,” said Governor Abdullahi.
The statement comes in the wake of mounting pressure from the national government for counties to absorb medical interns and other healthcare workers under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.
Governors argue that the ongoing fiscal delays have left counties financially crippled, making it impossible to meet the increasing wage bill and operational demands in the health sector.
In addition to funding concerns, the CoG raised the alarm over what it described as the “systemic failure” of both the E-Procurement System and the newly launched electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS),key platforms meant to enhance transparency and efficiency in health service delivery.
Governor Abdullahi noted that the National Government’s e-procurement platform, which counties are mandated to use for purchasing medical supplies and services, has become increasingly unreliable.
“The e-procurement system is largely dysfunctional. Counties are experiencing delays, frequent downtimes, and procurement bottlenecks that are crippling service delivery. This is untenable,” he said.
On the eCHIS, which was introduced as part of the UHC rollout, governors say the system has failed to function effectively at the grassroots level.
The platform, which was intended to digitize health data collection and improve decision-making at community level, is reportedly plagued by technical issues and inadequate training for users.
“The eCHIS system is simply not working as promised. There is poor internet connectivity in remote areas, lack of equipment, and limited capacity building for community health workers,” Governor Abdullahi emphasized
The CoG warned that the current situation could plunge counties into a full-blown health crisis if not addressed urgently.
Several county governments have already flagged difficulties in sustaining services at public health facilities due to budget constraints, delayed disbursements, and technical system failures.
Governors reaffirmed their commitment to providing quality healthcare services but insisted that devolution must be respected and supported with adequate resources and functional systems.
“We support Universal Health Coverage, but it must be implemented in a structured, consultative, and adequately funded manner. Devolution cannot succeed if counties are overburdened and underfunded,” Abdullahi added.
The CoG has requested an urgent consultative meeting with the Ministry of Health, the National Treasury, and the Office of the President to iron out the ongoing issues and find sustainable solutions for healthcare financing and system implementation.
Until then, governors say counties will not move forward with absorbing new healthcare workers without formal guarantees of funding.
