Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on Thursday, November 17, wooed the Bill Gates Foundation for support in the improvement of healthcare services to Kenyans.
Waiguru, who spoke during a meeting between the Council of Governors and the Bill Gates Foundation noted that the county chiefs were committed to implementing the Universal Health Coverage plan.
She, however, called for support in the programs to ensure that the plan benefits people at the county level.
While highlighting the achievements realized in the health sector since the advent of devolution, Waiguru noted that further up-scaling of health services to the community would help in reducing health challenges.
Waiguru also highlighted teenage pregnancies as a major concern for governors and asked for collaboration from the Bill Gates Foundation to ensure that the affected teenagers get a chance to resume their studies.
"She asked for support in advocacy programs on Reproductive Health in order to reduce adolescent and teenage pregnancy as well as support in the establishment of child day-care homes where young mothers can leave their children as they seek education," read a statement from the Council of Governors.
Other areas of potential collaboration highlighted by the Governor include capacity building of community health volunteers, traditional birth attendants and through technology such as point of care ultrasound and the use of artificial intelligence.
In addition, the CoG Chairperson called for partnership in the efforts to strengthen agriculture in all counties. Waiguru stated that governors were willing to invest Ksh35 billion to realize the goal of mechanizing agriculture and enhancing the use of technology in production.
On governance, Waiguru asked the Bill Gates Foundation to chip in in the process of full automation of county government services such as revenue collection and urban planning.
The meeting was part of Bill Gates's tour in Kenya. He arrived in the country on Tuesday, November 15 for a one-week visit.
The American business magnate met President William Ruto and they agreed to partner in the development of various sectors.
The Bill Gates Foundation Co-chair also visited Makueni County where he held a meeting with the area governor.
