Community Health promoters will decongest Kenyan hospitals- President Ruto

President William Ruto said the Government will equip the health promoters to handle minor illnesses at the grassroots.

He said the Government will spend Sh3.5 billion to equip them to offer promotive and preventive healthcare. 

"Many of the conditions that end up in our hospitals are minor; if they are managed early, we will decongest our hospitals," he said. 

He spoke during Sunday service at Christ Church Cathedral in Kakamega County.

He noted that the Government is committed to clearing county governments' pending bills to ensure devolution is successful.

He, however, explained that he will not borrow from foreign lenders to pay counties. 

"I want counties to succeed but on our own resources.”

He urged Kenyans to support the affordable housing plan to reverse the land fragmentation that threatens food security in the country. 

The President said the Government has made significant agricultural investments to increase food production and hence reduce the cost of living. 

"We must progressively invest in agriculture and support our farmers because the solution to reducing the cost of food is increasing food production," he said. 

Present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Governors Ferdinand Barasa (Kakamega), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi) and a host of MPs led by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.

President Ruto said he is committed to working with all leaders, regardless of their political affiliation.

"No part of the Republic of Kenya will be left behind," he added. 

Mr Mudavadi asked Kenyans to be patriotic and have a sense of responsibility in the country's development agenda.  

He maintained that it was unreasonable to oppose government programmes because they are not direct beneficiaries.  

Mr Barasa said Governors support the Government's initiative to raise resources from domestic revenue. 

"On behalf of the 47 counties, we support your initiative to collect tax because we cannot have development with collecting tax," he said.  

Mr Sakaja asked legislators to enact legislations that are in the best interest of Kenyans, citing the Finance Bill 2023.

"As a leader, never be afraid to be misunderstood if you are doing the right thing; you will be understood later," he said. 

The Nairobi governor asked Kenyans to have faith in President Ruto, saying he has a good vision for the country. 

Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala said the world was facing a global economic crisis that has affected all nations, including Kenya. 

He called on Kenyans and their leaders to support the government in implementing programmes to aid the country's economic recovery. 

Ikolomani MP Benard Shinali said they support the president's transformation agenda for shared prosperity.  

"We will walk with you to realise the country's development agenda together," added Mr Khalwale.