More than 5,000 people were able to access medication and register with the
Social Health Authority (SHA) during the pre-devolution conference in Homa Bay.
The conference, organised by the Council of
Governors (COG) in partnership with Safaricom Foundation and Zuri Health, saw
Homa Bay residents, including those from island areas, benefit from a three-day
free medical camp.
Chief Executive Officer of COG, Mary Mwiti, stated that they aim for this year’s devolution conference, scheduled to take place in Homa Bay County, to be people-oriented.
The pre-devolution conference was used to
advocate for the voices of marginalised groups, including youths, women, and
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
For posterity, devolution seeks to promote
equity, inclusion, and social justice in society.
According to Mwiti, the COG organised a devolution sensitisation week (pre-devolution conference) to advance their push for these values.
Through the camp, stakeholders were engaged to
undertake civic education to help citizens understand governance issues, public
financing, and equitable resource distribution.
“Such engagements enable leaders to listen and
understand what people want. These help them to govern in a responsive manner
and address the needs of the people,” Mwiti said.
Speaking to journalists during the closure of
the camp in Mbita, Suba North Constituency, on Friday, Mwiti said the views
collected during the conference will help shape resolutions that respond to the
public’s specific needs.
Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joe Ogutu and Homa Bay Health Executive Mercy Osewe accompanied her.
During the sensitisation, over 5,000 people
accessed medication and registered for SHA. Mwiti said patients suffering from
hypertension, diabetes, and eye problems received medical assistance. Cancer
screening was also conducted. Residents from the islands were able to access
medication.
This year’s devolution conference is scheduled
to take place on August 12–15, 2025, in Homa Bay County.
Mwiti argued that rampant unrest among the
youth in Kenya is due to the lack of public engagement in governance matters.
“The future devolution meetings will no longer
be about policymakers but about the public and how their needs will be addressed.
We’ve realised that lack of public trust causes unrest in the country,” she
said.
Ogutu said his organisation paid for one-year
SHA coverage for 40 needy patients who registered during the camp.
He said they plan to use the health data
collected to follow up on patients’ treatment. The camp was equipped with all
essential medical services, including laboratory, radiology, dental, eye, child
health, and telemedicine units.
“The MPESA Foundation supported SHA
registration during the free medical camp. Patients who require long-term
treatment will be able to access SHA benefits,” Ogutu said.
Osewe said residents from islands such as
Kiwa, Mfangano, Rusinga, Ngodhe, Ringiti, Takawiri, and Remba accessed
healthcare services.
She noted that through the partnership, they
managed to collect health data from individuals who had previously never been
documented.
“Mbita
is strategic, and people from the islands were able to come and access
healthcare services. We’re going to use the information to improve health services
and facilities,” Osewe said.
