President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender to avail space in Huduma Centres across the country for county governments that want to harmonize processes to acquire business permits, physical planning approvals and other key licences.
Addressing the 2018 Devolution Conference via a video link, Uhuru delivered a speech from State House in Nairobi highlighting the importance of collaboration between the national and county governments.
"I have directed our Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender to avail space in our Huduma centres for any county govt that wishes to bring under one roof it's systems for issuing business permits," he stated.
He told delegates gathered in Kakamega for the conference that his administration would actively engage county governments to align his 'Big 4' agenda with the counties' goals.
The President spoke extensively on Universal Healthcare which is one of the pillars of his agenda and outlined measures the government was taking to make it a success.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta delivering an address at State House"]
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He announced that in a bid to get more citizens to sign up for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), enrollment officers would be deployed across the country.
"All of us have contributed to a medical harambee, therefore, we are not in doubt about how much we need quality and affordable healthcare.
"I direct that the NHIF will assign enrolment officers to all counties," he stated.
He further reiterated that the government would facilitate the universal healthcare program in 4 counties; Kisumu, Machakos, Isiolo and Nyeri.
Uhuru also announced the creation of two agencies to boost devolution; the Kenya Devolution Support Program and the Kenya Urban Development Program.
[caption caption="Delegates at Kakamega High School for the 2018 Devolution Conference"]
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