NAKURU, Kenya — The government has adopted a new public-private partnership (PPP) model to upgrade and equip hospitals across the country, President William Ruto has announced.
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Speaking during the commissioning of a KSh130 million modern CT Scan Unit at the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital, the President said the innovative “fee-for-service” arrangement allows private firms to install and maintain crucial medical equipment, while hospitals pay only for the services provided.
“The primary objective of the government is to treat citizens; owning equipment is secondary. If we can get someone to own the equipment and we get the service, the better for us,” said President Ruto.
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He explained that the model will help both national and county governments save on procurement and maintenance costs, eliminate waste, and ensure accountability since suppliers will only earn when equipment is operational.
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The new CT Scan Unit, powered by AI technology, will double Nakuru Hospital’s capacity to 100 scans daily and includes a modern heart treatment kit. The government plans to install over 70 similar machines nationwide.
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Governor Susan Kihika lauded the initiative, saying it enables counties to access modern hospital equipment they could not afford under traditional procurement systems.
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President Ruto also announced that the government has waived the KSh1,000 fee charged for replacing lost national identification cards. First-time issuance will also be free of charge.
“From today, if you have lost your ID, go and get another one. The KSh1,000 we used to charge has been waived,” he declared, adding that the move will help more Kenyans, especially youth, obtain IDs without financial barriers.
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Reaffirming his government’s commitment to development, President Ruto said Kenya’s transformation will be achieved through delivery of tangible programmes, not “empty rhetoric or tribalism.”
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He urged leaders to focus on service delivery, saying Kenyans will judge them by their work, and pledged to serve all regions equally.
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The President also called on parents to ensure all children attend school, noting that the government has hired 100,000 teachers and built 23,000 classrooms in three years to promote equal access to education.
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During his tour of Nakuru County, the President announced a KSh2.6 billion investment to build 230km of new tarmac roads and connect 22,000 households to electricity through the Nakuru East Last Mile Connectivity Project.
He also launched:
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The Susan Kihika Primary and Junior School in Kiratina, Nakuru Town East.
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The Lanet B Affordable Housing Project in Gilgil, a 2,100-unit development creating over 3,000 jobs.
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Construction of 25 new markets and 21,000 affordable housing units countywide, expected to create 30,000 jobs.
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Additionally, the President:
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Resettled 900 IDP families, granting each KSh20,000 to facilitate relocation.
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Issued 2,700 title deeds covering 6,100 acres in Kiptangwany, waiving KSh30 million in fees.
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Launched key roads in Gilgil and Naivasha, including the 42km Kasarani–Kongoni–Olkaria and Ndabibi access roads.
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Donated KSh3 million towards a dormitory at Murereshwa Girls School.
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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Governor Susan Kihika praised the President’s focus on development, job creation, and infrastructure, saying the administration is delivering on its promises.
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