Meru County has distributed pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical supplies worth more than KSh63 million to public health facilities in a move aimed at reducing drug shortages and improving access to affordable healthcare.
Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia flagged off the supplies on Monday, saying the investment was part of his administration’s efforts to build a responsive and patient-centred healthcare system.
Deputy Governor Linda Kiome echoed the governor’s remarks, highlighting several development projects initiated by the administration and urging residents to grant them a second term in office.
She dismissed critics of the county government, saying some of those attacking the administration lacked concrete development plans and viable strategies to transform the lives of Meru residents.
“Our focus remains on service delivery and implementing programmes that directly improve the livelihoods of our people,” Kiome said.
County Executive Committee Member for Health Denis Mugambi said the consignment would strengthen commodity availability in hospitals and ease the burden on patients who are often forced to buy medicines from private pharmacies.
“This significant investment will strengthen commodity availability, reduce stock-outs and minimise the need for patients to spend out-of-pocket on essential medicines,” Mugambi said.
He said the county government was also implementing reforms aimed at decentralising specialised healthcare services through the elevation of Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital (MeTRH) from a Level Five to a Level Six facility.
Mugambi added that Nyambene Level Four Hospital, Miathene Level Four Hospital, Timau Level Four Hospital and Kanyakine Level Four Hospital were being upgraded to serve as referral hospitals for the Igembe, Tigania, Buuri and Imenti regions respectively.
The county is also expanding cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment services to ensure residents can access lifesaving care closer to their homes.
At the same event, Governor Mutuma announced a raft of economic empowerment programmes targeting women, youth, persons with disabilities and farmers.
He said his administration had disbursed support funds to youth groups through cheques to strengthen their enterprises and increase their participation in economic activities.
The governor also issued tents and chairs to women groups to support their social and income-generating activities and improve their ability to mobilise for community development.
Persons with disabilities also received cheques worth Sh10million from the county government in a move Mutuma said was aimed at advancing inclusion, dignity and economic empowerment.
“Through targeted women and youth empowerment interventions alongside support for PWDs, we are ensuring that development is inclusive, equitable and impactful across all levels of society,” he said.
The governor further recognised high-performing Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) by awarding trophies to various cooperatives under the Department of Trade.
He said the cooperative movement remained a key driver of economic transformation through mobilisation of savings, expansion of credit access and support for enterprise growth.
“By celebrating and rewarding performance within our cooperatives, we are encouraging stronger institutions that will continue to empower our people and drive sustainable economic development,” he said.
On agriculture, Mutuma described the sector as the backbone of Meru’s economy and announced several interventions to boost production and farmers’ incomes.
The county government issued cheques to farmers’ SACCOs, handed over a tractor under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) to support animal feed production and distributed milk cans, sexed semen preservation containers and avocado seedlings to farmers.
“These interventions are designed to boost productivity, strengthen cooperatives, promote value addition and equip our farmers with the resources they need to increase yields and improve their earnings,” Mutuma said.
Edited by John Majau
