Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged Kenyans to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, emphasizing the need for self-sustaining mechanisms to support Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Speaking at the funeral service of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo in Baringo County, Mudavadi stressed that global health financing is shifting responsibility to individual nations, making it crucial for Kenya to develop independent solutions.
“Recently, I was in Geneva, Switzerland, where I engaged with the Global Fund, a key player in global health financing. Last year, President William Ruto led a replenishment effort that secured $28 billion for Kenya,” Mudavadi stated. “This year, the Global Fund is seeking further replenishment, and their CEO specifically requested President Ruto’s intervention to champion increased funding.”
Mudavadi highlighted that while international partners have historically supported Kenya’s health sector, there is now a clear expectation that the country must take charge of its healthcare system. He stressed that Kenya must implement sustainable healthcare mechanisms to avoid dependency on external aid.
“The world is telling us to take care of our own sick and not to wait for external assistance. We must identify gaps in our system and address them. No more money will come from outside for health if we do not put in place sustainable mechanisms,” he emphasized.
He reiterated that UHC is a key pillar for national development and must be prioritized to ensure healthcare accessibility and affordability for all citizens. Mudavadi also cautioned against politicizing healthcare, stating that a functional health system is essential for national stability and prosperity.
“We can do politics with other things, but let us not politicize the health of our people. Every Kenyan deserves access to quality healthcare, and it is our collective responsibility to make this a reality,” he said.
During the funeral, Mudavadi paid tribute to Senator Cheptumo, describing him as a leader of integrity and humility. He praised Cheptumo’s dedication to fighting cattle rustling and serving the people of Baringo County with commitment.
“Cheptumo was a forthright, focused, and solid leader. His life was a testament to resilience, humility, and the power of prayer,” Mudavadi noted.
The funeral was attended by President William Ruto, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, senior government officials, and leaders from across the country, who gathered to honor Senator Cheptumo’s contributions to the nation.
