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Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has urged Parliament to urgently resolve long-standing National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) arrears owed to counties, warning that continued delays could cripple devolved health services.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Investments and Special Funds chaired by William Kipkemoi Kisang, the Makueni governor said counties were struggling with unpaid claims for services already rendered, accusing the national government of dragging its feet in finding a payment solution.

“Without a solution, health systems at the county level risk collapse,” he said, calling on lawmakers to treat the matter with urgency.

Mutula noted that adequate financing remains critical to delivering on the health agenda, arguing that counties can significantly improve services if funding challenges are addressed.

He also raised concerns over the mandatory 35 percent wage bill cap, saying it undermines service delivery. While constructing hospitals is classified as development expenditure, hiring professional staff to run them is treated as recurrent spending, creating a policy contradiction that hampers effective healthcare provision.

The governor further called for the zero-rating of medical equipment to lower costs and support the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.

During his presentation, Mutula outlined measures Makueni County is implementing to enhance healthcare access, including automation of health processes and rapid registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

He said the county had set aside Sh90 million under its Universal Health Coverage programme to register approximately 11,000 indigent residents, with plans to scale up coverage to 200,000 people. The initiative, he added, is aimed at ensuring sustainability in healthcare financing, particularly for vulnerable populations with no alternative access to medical services.

Mutula also highlighted the use of Proximie technology to bridge gaps in specialised medical manpower, enabling remote support and expertise in local facilities.

Members of the committee commended the county for deploying technology in the health sector and for putting in place systems that promote accountability.

The Department of Health on Day 3 of the Makueni Universal Health Coverage (UHC) mass registration exercise extended services to Kanzokea, Ikasu, Kimundi and Kithuki centres, recording an impressive turnout of residents seeking enrollment.

The exercise, anchored under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), aims at ensuring all residents are covered under the national health insurance framework while benefiting from the County Government’s premium support program for low-income households.

Residents in Kitise/Kithuki and Kathonzweni wards lauded the initiative, terming it a major relief in reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Health Promotion Director David Kiuluku, who led the exercise in the two wards on Thursday, reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving universal access to quality and affordable healthcare as part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s development agenda.

The mass registration continues across all wards, targeting 200,000 residents.

In Ngoni Cluster, Muloko Nzangi shared her family’s painful journey of caring for her ailing husband, who has sought treatment at Mbumbuni, Wote, and Kenyatta National Hospital.

The prolonged struggle forced the family to sell most of their valuable property to meet mounting medical costs.

She described the Makueni Universal Health Coverage programme as a timely intervention capable of restoring dignity and stability to families burdened by illness and debt.

According to Nzangi, the initiative offers hope not only to her household but also to many others silently struggling across the county.

Residents of Kakuswi and Ngoni Clusters commended the county’s health financing programme, describing it as a key flagship project for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Christine Muoki, a middle-aged woman from Nziu Sub-Ward, could not hide her joy after being selected as a beneficiary of the Universal Health Coverage programme currently being rolled out across the county. The mass registration exercise, which began on Tuesday, will run until Friday, February 27.

Speaking during a forum in Nziu Sub-Ward, the Chief Officer in charge of Health Human Resource Management and Administration, Dr Harvey Mulei, urged residents to support the programme, describing it as life-changing.

Dr Mulei said the county government’s vision is to eliminate the need for harambees and WhatsApp fundraisers often organized to offset hospital bills. He noted that the Makuenicare card will cater for both inpatient and outpatient services within and outside the county, including at private health facilities.

He further called on residents to turn up in large numbers whenever the department conducts public participation forums, emphasizing that increased engagement would help secure more funding and expand coverage to benefit additional households.

The programme targets to register more than 200,000 residents under the Social Health Authority (SHA).