Study picks counties with best and poorly equipped hospitals
Mercy Mwai @wangumarci
A new report analysing status of health facilities in the country has listed Makueni, Kwale, Kakamega, Machakos and Kisumu as the leading counties regarding equipping of health facilities.
The CountyTrak Index was conducted between October - December 2019 and January 2020 by Infotrak Research and Consulting firm and released yesterday. Pilot was conducted between August and September 2019.
According to the report, Makueni under the leadership of Governor Kivutha Kibwana scored 64.4 per cent, Kwale under Salim Mvurya came second with 61.4 per cent, Wycliffe Oparanya’s Kakamega is ranked third with 60.8 per cent followed by Machakos headed by Alfred Mutua with 58.3 per cent.
At position five is Kisumu headed by Anyang’ Nyong’o with a 57.3 per cent.
The findings have also listed bottom five counties that include Narok headed by Samuel Tunai with a 45.7 per cent, followed by Wajir under Mahamud Mohamed with 45 and Mombasa headed by Ali Hassan Joho with 44.9 per cent.
Kiambu under former Governor Ferdinand Waititu scored 44.2 per cent while Tana River under Dhado Godana garnered 42 per cent. These counties have reportedly been unable to adequately equip their health facilities.
Infotrak Executive Director Angela Ambitho said that performance in the health sector was rated on a scale of 1-10 where 1 was very poor and 10 was excellent.
Top performing counties are able to make it easy for families to get affordable medical treatment, ensure that residents receive information on how to stay healthy and ensure that restaurants and food kiosks are licensed and inspected regularly.
In addition, the top five counties have ensured that health concerns in their respective regions are handled to their satisfaction; ensure there are adequate sanitation facilities and necessary medical equipment and medicine.
“Furthermore, the report contains approval ratings of all elected leaders operating within the county namely; Governor, Senator, Woman Rep and Ward Rep.
Member of Parliament’s approval ratings were also included in the overall survey much as they operate under the ambit of national government,” the report.
With regards to top climbers and droppers, the report also places Makueni as the most improved from position 35 in 2015 to position one currently.
Approval ratings
During his first term between 2013 and 2017, Kibwana was at crossroads with County Assembly Members after they made it difficult for his administration to function due to delays in passing Bills and the budget that would facilitate the smooth running of the county.
Tharaka Nithi headed by Muthomi Njuki is second best improved from position 36 in 2015 under then governor Samuel Ragwa to its current position seven.
Kisumu has also registered great improvement from position 32 in 2015, then under Governor Jack Ranguma to its current position five.
Kitui headed by Governor Charity Ngilu has also made great strides, from position 36 under then Governor Julius Malombe to the current position nine.
Another county, which has improved greatly, is Embu, under Governor Wambora, from position 38 n 2015 to the current position 22.
Kajiado under Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has improved from position 42 in 2015 to the current position 29 while Lamu headed by Fahim Twaha has emerged from position 40 then under Governor Ali Timamy to the current position 28.
Nairobi headed by Mike Sonko has marginally improved from its previous position 28 in 2015 under former Governor Evans Kidero to the current position 26 while Marsabit under Mohamud Mohamed has moved from position 45 to 35.
Those that have registered a drop in performance include Taita Taveta headed by Granton Samboja from position seven in 2015 under former Governor John Mruttu to the current position 36, followed by Samburu under the leadership of Moses Lenolkulal from position 14 to 41, Mombasa dropped from position 21 to 45, Murang’a headed by Governor Mwangi wa Iria dropped from position 11 to 32, Kisii under James Ongwae dropped from position three to 21 while Homa bay headed by Cyprian Awiti came from position 23 to 29.
The report shows that in terms of regions, Western is leading with 54.3 per cent while North Eastern is trailing with 46.6 percent.
