President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to public health facilities that continue to charge Kenyans for outpatient services, despite a government directive providing for free treatment at dispensaries, health centres, and Level 4 hospitals.
Speaking at State House during a meeting with leaders from Tharaka Nithi County, the President emphasised that outpatient services in these public facilities are fully funded by the government and should be offered at no cost to citizens.
“I am sending a warning to facilities in counties that still charge citizens in our dispensaries, health centres and Level 4 facilities for outpatient services,” Ruto declared.
“Those who are still charging Kenyans in these government facilities will have themselves to blame because we are going after them.”
The directive is part of the government’s broader push to implement Universal Health Coverage (UHC), aimed at ensuring all Kenyans have access to quality and affordable healthcare.
Ruto revealed that the government has allocated Sh21 billion in the current budget to support the healthcare sector, including Sh13 billion for primary healthcare and Sh8 billion for emergency services.
“Every Kenyan going to a dispensary, health centre or Level 4 hospital for outpatient services will receive services without paying anything because the government has already taken care of it,” he said.
The Head of State also appealed to Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who chairs the Health Committee at the Council of Governors (CoG), to ensure that county governments comply with the directive.
“Muthomi Njuki, as the chair of the Health Committee, please tell governors that the government will pay for the services in these facilities,” Ruto urged.
The government has placed primary healthcare at the heart of its UHC strategy, with outpatient care considered a cornerstone in delivering accessible and preventative medical services across the country.
Officials have been directed to monitor compliance across counties, with Ruto affirming that facilities violating the free outpatient service policy will face consequences.
