Governors fault Treasury for not filling gaps left in health sector

Kenya may not cushion its citizens living with HIV/Aids following a freeze on foreign aid by US President Donald Trump.

On Wednesday, the poor representation by the National Treasury and Economic Planning revealed unpreparedness by the country to handle HIV/Aids programme that is heavily donor funded.

This gap emerged during a high level meeting on mitigation measures to address the impact of the US government stop order on Kenya’s HIV response.

National Treasury and Economic Planning CS John Mbadi gave the event a wide berth, only sending a junior officer who was unable to explain Kenya’s funding preparedness.

Emma Mburu, a representative from the National Treasury admitted not to have been briefed on the matter, despite having been expected to table proposals on how to fill the gap, on behalf of Mbadi.

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She, however, acknowledged the impact of suspension of foreign aid on health. “I have taken note of the financing gap. My role will be to go back and advise the CS on the discussions that have been deliberated here. I do not want to really confirm that I have any solutions,” she said.

Her sentiments angered governors and health stakeholders, who expected major proposals to address the funding gap. Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr expressed his displeasure by Mbadi’s failure to attend the meeting.

“We are not properly constituted. The National Treasury has sent someone with no brief, we have sat here, and you’re giving us stories. I would have say the meeting is done. Why sit here when we are not making progress,” he posed.

Mr Kilonzo Jnr questioned why a supplementary budget is yet to be provided, despite the issue needing immediate response. “If we are sitting in this room, talking about what should be in the budget 20024/25 and 2025/26, immediately, we should have solutions rather than mere talks,” said Kilonzo.

Despite Kenya Kwanza administration promising to provide quality healthcare, SHA he said does not health issues affecting Kenyans. SHA, for example, does not provide cover for HIV services.

“Kenyan are unhappy about the medical scheme because it is not working. Start working on exit, because I see no reason standing here while we need to provide a transition for NHIF,” he said.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru proposed a face to face technical meeting between governors and the National Assembly Budget committee and the Senate budget committee and the National Treasury represented at high level where decisions can be made.

“For you to say you do not have a brief, and we have come to discuss the issue of money, what then is the way forward when we have called governors from their respective counties to be here?” asked Ms Waiguru.

She said the Treasury must come up with tangible proposals like freezing allocations on infrastructure to address the funding gap. “...but to just have a conversation where we are acknowledging how dire the situation is across all the counties, and then we walk out of the room without tangible solutions is very unfair to anyone here,” said the Kirinyaga governor. 

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka said the funding gap is a serious issue that requires a quick solution. “We are talking about a very serious matter, and that is why we expect some seriousness from the National Treasury, this we cannot take it,” said Lusaka.

“All stakeholders here, only for the National Treasury not to turn up, not even the PS, or somebody who can give solution,” he added.

It emerged that the US move has left a funding gap of Sh30.9 billion, money expected to manage Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) Human Resource in Health (HRH) Health Management information System (HIMIS) and Health System Strengthening (HSS).

Of the Sh30.9 billion, at least Sh5.8 billion is required between now and June to address various activities.

Among them, is Sh4 billion on human resource who were being paid directly by the US government, Sh1.2 billion for distribution of ARVs currently at the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies, and Sh140 million for health information systems.