Forty-five out of Kenya’s 47 governors have signed an agreement under the National Equipment Support Programme (NESP), a leasing initiative designed to improve healthcare services in county hospitals by providing critical medical equipment. This new program closely mirrors the previous Medical Equipment Service (MES) scheme, which was marred by controversy and criticism.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Deborah Barasa confirmed that 36 counties have already placed orders for the necessary medical equipment under NESP. The initiative is a key component of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, which aims to strengthen the healthcare system by ensuring hospitals are adequately equipped to serve patients effectively.
Speaking before the Senate plenary, CS Barasa defended the programme, stating:
“Within our counties, we are building structures and infrastructure, but we don’t have the services in terms of equipment and commodities needed. That is why we have NESP.”
Despite the government’s push for NESP, it remains unclear why two governors have yet to sign the agreement, raising questions about the concerns that may have led to their hesitation.
The MES programme, which NESP closely resembles, was criticized for being imposed on counties without adequate consultation. Many county leaders previously complained that they were pressured into signing agreements without fully understanding the terms, leading to logistical and operational challenges.
Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya had openly expressed dissatisfaction with MES, stating:
“We signed it under duress because the pressure was too much. When I signed it, I didn’t even want to read it because the equipment was already there; they were delivered on a Saturday at night.”
Similar concerns have now emerged regarding NESP, with senators launching an inquiry into the programme’s implementation. Lawmakers are demanding transparency over the selection of suppliers, particularly after President William Ruto confirmed that seven firms had been contracted without publicly disclosing their identities.
The Senate Health Committee has expressed concerns over the lack of transparency in the awarding of contracts for the supply of medical equipment. This issue has drawn attention to the need for greater oversight to prevent potential mismanagement or misuse of funds.
Senators are calling for the government to disclose the names of the contracted suppliers and clarify the terms of the agreements signed with the counties. They argue that failure to do so may result in the same challenges faced under MES, where some hospitals received expensive medical equipment that remained unused due to inadequate infrastructure, lack of trained personnel, or unreliable power supply.
Unlike MES, which faced criticism for its rigid financial structure, NESP operates under a fee-for-service model. Under this arrangement, vendors supply, maintain, and upgrade the equipment at no upfront cost to the counties. This model is expected to ease financial strain on county governments while ensuring that hospitals receive essential medical tools.
The programme, launched in December 2023, is set to enhance healthcare services in county hospitals by equipping them with critical tools for surgery, radiology, and intensive care units (ICUs). With 45 governors already on board, the initiative has the potential to improve Kenya’s healthcare system significantly if implemented transparently and effectively.
While NESP promises to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure, concerns over transparency and past failures cannot be ignored. As the Senate continues its probe, stakeholders including county leaders, healthcare professionals, and the public will be watching closely to ensure that the programme delivers on its promises without repeating the mistakes of MES.
The success of NESP will depend on proper oversight, adequate training for healthcare workers, and ensuring that county hospitals have the necessary infrastructure to utilize the leased equipment effectively. With healthcare costs rising and medical needs increasing, an efficient and transparent implementation of this programme is critical for Kenya’s healthcare future.
