Rukira, Nyeri County| Residents of Rukira village and surrounding areas in Mahiga Ward, Nyeri County, have received a major boost in healthcare access following the official commissioning of the new Rukira Dispensary by Governor Mutahi Kahiga.
The modern Level II health facility, strategically located in Rukira village, is projected to serve a catchment population of over 8,000 people from Rukira and six neighbouring villages: Ruguru, Kairore, Gathuku, Mati, Kagongo, Rugu, and Wathamu.
Speaking at the colourful commissioning ceremony attended by hundreds of jubilant residents, Governor Kahiga described the new dispensary as a game-changer that will drastically reduce the distance patients previously travelled to seek basic medical care while decongesting overburdened neighbouring facilities.
“This dispensary is equipped with core and essential services that will be of immense benefit to the people,” Governor Kahiga stated.
“Not only will residents now access treatment closer to home, but we are also eliminating the burden of long-distance travel to the facilities they previously depended on.”
“At the same time, we are easing the pressure and workload on other dispensaries that were stretching themselves to serve this population of more than 8,000 people.” Kahiga added.
“Ultimately, our citizens will save precious time and transport costs, while healthcare workers will be able to offer personalized, high-quality care to every patient who walks through these doors,” he added.
The new Rukira Dispensary provides a comprehensive range of primary healthcare services under one roof.
Expectant and nursing mothers can now access full antenatal and postnatal care, while families have easy access to modern family planning and reproductive health services.
The facility places strong emphasis on maternal and child health, offering routine immunization, growth monitoring, and nutrition counselling.
It also handles general outpatient consultations, minor procedures, and the management of common illnesses as well as non-communicable diseases, ensuring that residents no longer need to travel far for routine or preventive care.
Governor Kahiga was accompanied by Mahiga Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Hon. James Kanyugo, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Medical Services and Public Health Dr Joseph Kiragu, senior county health officials, local leaders, and community members.
Dr Joseph Kiragu hailed the project as evidence of the county government’s unwavering commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by bringing services closer to the people, especially in rural and previously underserved areas.
“This is not just a building; it is a lifeline for thousands of families who previously had to travel long distances, sometimes on foot or motorbikes, to access even the most basic care,” Dr Kiragu noted.
Local residents who spoke to the press expressed profound gratitude, with many describing the dispensary as an answer to years of appeals.
“I used to walk more than 10 kilometres to the nearest facility whenever my children fell sick. Today marks the end of that struggle,” said Esther Wambui, a mother of four from nearby Kairore village.
The Rukira Dispensary is the latest in a series of health infrastructure projects rolled out by the Kahiga administration since 2022, part of an ambitious plan to establish at least one fully functional public health facility in every ward across Nyeri County.
With its official opening, residents of Mahiga Ward now enjoy significantly improved proximity to essential preventive and curative services, marking a critical step toward stronger, more resilient community health systems in the region.
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