President William Ruto has called for the inclusion of members of the public in the management boards of hospitals to strengthen oversight of funds sent to the health facilities.
Speaking during a church service at ACK Kapsabet church on Sunday, October 18, Ruto said the inclusion of members of the public will strengthen accountability and prevent the misuse of funds by health officers.
According to the Head of State, hospitals must be supervised by doctors, government officers, county officials, and members of the public, just as schools are managed.
“Health centres must be supervised by doctors and members of the public, just as we supervise schools. Doctors, government officers, and county officers must also be presented," Ruto said.
undated image of the entrance of Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital
C.O.T.N
The president noted that some hospitals were using money received through the Social Health Authority (SHA) on non-essential services like infrastructure projects, leaving out important projects like buying medicines.
Ruto urged hospital boards to prioritise the purchase of medicines and other essential health commodities to ensure residents access healthcare services without disruption.
“When money is sent to a dispensary, the first responsibility is to buy medicines. Some people, when we send SHA money, buy gates or install cabro,” he said.
The Head of State added that since the government was now sending money directly to individual hospitals, their boards of management had a responsibility to prioritise the purchase of medicines and other health commodities over infrastructure development.
“Because we are now sending money directly to every hospital, the Boards of Management in every hospital must prioritise purchase of medicines and health commodities over infrastructural developments,” Ruto stated.
Under the Basic Education Act, public schools are required to have Boards of Management (BOMs) that include community representatives, parents and local leaders alongside education officials.
The president is therefore calling for a similar model in the management of public health facilities, with members of the public joining doctors and government officials in overseeing hospital operations and spending.
His remarks come amid ongoing reforms in hospital management, including Nairobi County's Health Services and Management Act, 2026, which granted Level Five county hospitals greater autonomy over their finances and operations while retaining oversight requirements and providing for hospital management boards.
A wing inside the Kenyatta National Hospital
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@PeopleDailyKe