President William Ruto has announced that more than 7,000 doctors and nurses serving on contract under county governments will be absorbed on permanent and pensionable terms, in what he described as a major step towards strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system.
Speaking during a Sunday service and fundraiser at Nkarusha Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kiserian, Kajiado West, the president said the government had set aside Sh8.9 billion to hire the medics permanently, arguing that their contribution to public healthcare deserved recognition through better terms of service.
The announcement comes at a time when Kenya’s health sector continues to face pressure over staffing, medical supplies and access to affordable treatment, particularly at the county level where many facilities rely heavily on contract workers.
President Ruto said the government was determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, insisting that Kenyans should not be forced to sell land, livestock or other property to pay medical bills.
He pointed to the Primary Healthcare Fund, which has been allocated Sh19 billion, saying it is meant to allow Kenyans registered under the Social Health Authority, SHA, to receive treatment at dispensaries, health centres and sub-county hospitals without paying out of pocket.
“When you go to a private, mission or government dispensary, health centre or sub-county hospital for outpatient services, do not pay even a shilling. The government has paid,” president Ruto said.
He warned health facilities against charging patients for services already covered by the government, saying such practices undermine the reforms being rolled out under the new health financing model.
The president also said Sh21 billion had been allocated to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, KEMSA, up from Sh10 billion last year, to boost the supply of medicines and essential health commodities across the country.
President Ruto used the Kajiado visit to defend his administration’s broader development agenda, saying the country had made progress in agriculture, education, infrastructure and international diplomacy since he took office in 2022.
He said the agriculture budget had been raised to Sh63 billion, with part of the allocation going towards subsidized fertilizer and other farm inputs. According to the president, the subsidy programme had helped reduce the cost of a 50kg bag of fertilizer from Sh7,000 in 2022 to Sh2,500, contributing to lower maize flour prices.
“We are in a different place from where we were in 2022,” he said.
In education, the President said the sector had been allocated Sh784 billion in the 2026/27 budget, up from Sh702 billion in the previous financial year and Sh500 billion in 2022.
He said the additional funding would support reforms aimed at improving skills development, teacher promotion and the retooling of 100,000 teachers for the new curriculum.
He added that Sh93 billion had been set aside for scholarships and capitation for universities and technical colleges.
On infrastructure, the Head of State announced what he termed a “Marshall Plan” for roads through the National Infrastructure Fund. He said the fund would help mobilize both private capital and public resources to finance roads, power generation and water harvesting projects.
According to president Ruto, the fund already holds Sh100 billion generated from the Kenya Pipeline Company Initial Public Offering, with another Sh200 billion expected to be mobilized.
“This is how we will solve our transport and logistics issues,” he said.
In Kajiado county, the president said Sh23 billion had been allocated for affordable housing, modern markets and student hostels.
He also highlighted ongoing and planned road projects, including the Illasit-Njukini-Taveta road at Sh4 billion, the Cooperative-Bulbul road at Sh600 million, and the Kajiado-Mashuru-Isara road at Sh500 million.
The president also defended his frequent local and international travel, saying it was part of the demands of his office and necessary to advance Kenya’s interests.
He cited Kenya’s hosting of the Africa Climate Summit in 2023, his state visit to the United States, and the Africa Forward Summit co-hosted with France in May 2026 as evidence of Kenya’s growing international profile.
He also announced that he would travel to France to attend the G7 summit, where he said he had been invited to represent Africa.
“The job of president is demanding and I have dedicated myself to it to serve all Kenyans,” he said.
The event brought together several leaders, including ODM party leader Oburu Oginga, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Kajiado governor Joseph ole Lenku, Kisii governor Simba Arati and his Homa Bay counterpart Gladys Wanga.
Dr Oginga urged Kenyans to embrace unity, saying development could only be achieved through cooperation. He said ODM would continue supporting president Ruto in taking development to all parts of the country.
“We want to go to Singapore. To reach there, we must work together,” Dr Oginga said.
He also defended the housing levy, saying its impact was becoming visible through ongoing projects.
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi said household electricity connections had increased from 8.9 million to 10.5 million in the past three years, describing the progress as significant. He also said the country had avoided fuel shortages despite recent disruptions in global supply chains due to strategies put in place by the government.
Governor Lenku thanked the president for supporting development in Kajiado and recognizing minority communities, citing the handover of Amboseli National Park to the county as a major milestone.
“As Maa nation we are thankful. You have held our hand and we will work with you,” Lenku said.
President Ruto praised the Broad-Based Government, saying it had helped unite Kenyans and accelerate development. He urged politicians to compete on ideas rather than division.
“Sell your vision, plan and policies. Do not divide Kenyans; that is retrogressive politics,” he said.
Follow our social media pages for breaking news updates, in-depth stories and videos.
news@nairobilens.ke
