In a significant step towards strengthening Kenya’s public health infrastructure, President William Ruto on Friday presided over the official handover of 47 disease surveillance vehicles to county governments.
The president strongly reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing national vigilance and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The ceremony, held at State House Nairobi, brought together governors from across the country, senior government officials, and health sector stakeholders.
Each of the 47 counties will receive a specially equipped surveillance vehicle aimed at improving local disease detection, reporting, and emergency response capacity.
President Ruto emphasized the importance of strategic investments and collaboration in fortifying the country’s healthcare system, especially at the grassroots level.
He highlighted the deployment of digitized and integrated surveillance systems across all counties as a transformative move in public health management.
“We are strengthening public health systems and grassroots disease surveillance, and enhancing emergency response through strategic investments and collaboration,” said President Ruto.
“The deployment of digitised, integrated surveillance systems across all the 47 counties, alongside targeted training, has boosted national vigilance by streamlining detection at both health facility and community levels.”
The President also renewed his call for citizens to enroll in the newly established Social Health Authority, which plays a pivotal role in the government’s broader agenda of implementing Universal Health Coverage through the Taifa Care program.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who accompanied the President, echoed the administration’s dedication to equitable healthcare access.
He underscored that the vehicles would greatly enhance the country’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
“These vehicles are a critical step in strengthening our public health response capacity across the country, reinforcing our commitment to Universal Health Coverage through Taifa Care,” said Duale.
“Further, the initiative aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by investing in health systems and response mechanisms, ensuring that Kenyans across the country can access quality and affordable health services.”
The initiative comes amid heightened focus on disease preparedness, especially in light of recent global public health challenges.
It reflects the government’s integrated approach to health reform—combining infrastructure, technology, policy, and community-level engagement.
The government believes that by equipping counties with both the tools and training necessary to manage health threats locally, it can ensure faster, more efficient responses to potential outbreaks and promote a healthier population nationwide.
President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to work with county governments and other partners to ensure health services are not only accessible but also resilient and future-ready.
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