Former CS:Pray for me

By Robert Mutasi 

Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha recently spoke about her tenure-an event marked by pride in her service and the struggles she faced after demitting a high-profile government office.

Speaking candidly during the burial of mother of Governor Kenneth Lusaka in Bungoma, Nakhumicha said the emotional toll from transitioning to a ministerial role back to being an individual citizen: "Bishop pray for me, you know it is not easy to have been a minister then all of a sudden you are just Nakumicha".

During her tenure, she witnessed the initiation of key reforms in the Kenyan healthcare system. 

The Ministry of Health initiated moves during her time that led to the creation of a National Health Insurance Fund, popularly known as NHIF, and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, KEMSA.

Some of these reforms included repositioning NHIF as a strategic purchaser of health services and enhancing KEMSA's procurement processes, which have seen a fill rate of more than 70% on medical supplies.

During her tenure, Nakhumicha also supported the creation of Community Health Promoters, whose number rose to over 100,000 trained individuals. Such individuals provide basic healthcare services at the grassroots level.

Indeed, such an initiative has been lauded as having the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery in many underserved communities across Kenya.

However, she did not fail to acknowledge the challenges faced by this sector, especially those touching on corruption and inefficiency.

She acknowledged that taxpayers could have lost up to Kshs. 20 billion through fraudulent claims within NHIF in 2023. This revelation brings out the lingering questions on financial management and accountability in Kenya's healthcare system.

Nakhumicha's work also extended to cleaning up past scandals in KEMSA, mired by procurement fraud.

She also reassured her commitment to the restoration of integrity in the agency through the establishment of new governance structures and increasing stock levels of essential medical supplies. 

As she embarks on this journey, Nakhumicha expressed optimism for increased blessings and support from the people. 

"Please continue praying for me, God has blessed me, and I still expect more blessings," she said, underlining firm faith and strength in overcoming the odds of public service.