President Ruto inks health partnership with Italian firm GKSD Group
President William Ruto has signed a partnership with Italy's GKSD Group to construct 15 new hospitals across Kenya. The project aims to improve healthcare accessibility and decongest existing national referral facilities.
Why it matters
This infrastructure investment is a significant step toward Kenya's goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage and addressing critical shortages in hospital capacity.
President William Ruto, who witnessed the signing ceremony at State House Nairobi on Tuesday, said the investment responds to one of the country’s most pressing needs - provision of accessible and quality healthcare to all Kenyans.
The agreement between the Government of Kenya and GKSD Group is under the Government of Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa partnership framework.
In the agreement, 15 hospitals will be developed in 15 counties, comprising 13 Level 5 county referral hospitals and two Level 6 national teaching and referral hospitals.
Present were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, GKSD Ghairman Kamel Ghribi, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, governors and other dignitaries from Kenya and Italy.
President Ruto said the investment is critical given Kenya’s hospital capacity. The country currently has 12 hospital beds for every 10,000 people, well below the World Health Organisation’s recommended benchmark of 25 beds.
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