Mailu hopeful US will reverse aid suspension

Health cabinet secretary Dr. Cleopa Mailu. FILE PHOTO | NMG

What you need to know:

  • The US government suspended monetary support to the ministry due to what it termed as lack of accountability.
  • The government will from May distribute controversial mobile clinics stored at the Miritini National Youth Service to informal settlements in urban areas.

A detailed report on use of funds has been submitted to the US government following withdrawal of billions of shillings from the health ministry in a move the State hopes will reverse a decision to suspend direct assistance.

Health Secretary Dr Cleopa Mailu however denied Friday that the withdrawal of aid was due to a damning report leaked to the media that unearthed a Sh5 billion scam at Afya House.

"In terms of fulfilling our mandate, on Monday we have a team which is coming from their side to sit with us to verify some of the steps we have taken. We hope after verification they will make a different pronouncement," said the CS in Mombasa after closing the Kenya Medical Training College retreat for the board, senior managers and principals.

"It is about having faith in systems where their money is channelled to. We have a responsibility to satisfy them. We can do what it takes to ensure that funds are used effectively without leakages," Dr Mailu said.

Mobile clinics

Meanwhile, the government will from May distribute the controversial mobile clinics stored at the Miritini National Youth Service to informal settlements in urban areas.

"That includes slum areas which are in urban areas. Mombasa will get six, Makueni three, Nakuru and Nairobi counties 20," Dr Mailu said.

The minister said counties are in the process of recruiting staff for the clinics and urged the devolved units to work with contractors to find sites where the 100 clinics will be placed to help in provision of healthcare services.

The mobile clinics are yet to be removed from the National Youth Service (NYS) camp in Miritini, months after Coast regional coordinator Nelson Marwa ordered for the same.

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