Kindiki expressed confidence that NGAO, with its vast grassroots network, is best suited to ensure the success of this critical national initiative.
Speaking during a joint meeting between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, Kindiki emphasized that no other government body can match NGAO’s efficiency and reach.
“With over 106,000 Village Elders, 9,000 Assistant Chiefs, and 4,000 Chiefs, NGAO has a national presence from Nairobi down to the village level,” Kindiki said. “This structure allows us to deliver UHC efficiently, quickly, and at minimal cost to the taxpayer.”
Data from the Ministry of Interior shows Kenya is organized into eight regions, with 47 counties, 389 subcounties, 989 divisions, 3,999 locations, and 9,104 sublocations.
Kindiki highlighted the success of NGAO’s previous nationwide initiatives, including the registration of 6.5 million farmers for the subsidized fertilizer program, as evidence of its capacity to deliver on the UHC registration goal.
“We delivered the farmer registration in record time, saving the country billions that would have been spent on consultants. I am confident we will do the same for UHC,” Kindiki assured his counterpart, Health CS Deborah Barasa, during the meeting.
Kindiki stressed the importance of simplifying the health messages for ease of understanding at the grassroots, ensuring that even those in the most remote areas are well-informed.
“All we need from the Ministry of Health is clear, simple messages that can be easily understood by the people on the ground,” he said.
Health CS Barasa echoed Kindiki’s sentiments, emphasizing that the success of UHC hinges on effective outreach and education at the community level.
“Everything we’ve done so far in this program would be meaningless if the people on the ground don’t know about it,” Barasa said. “That’s why we’re relying on NGAO’s expertise and deep community connections to inform and register citizens for affordable, quality healthcare.”
The UHC enrollment drive will also involve Community Health Promoters (CPHs) working in tandem with NGAO officers to ensure maximum reach and effectiveness.
Kindiki expressed optimism that this time, under the current administration, the UHC program will finally succeed after previous failed attempts to roll it out by earlier governments.