Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting public hospital land from encroachment by expediting the issuance of title deeds to all public health facilities.
Speaking during a visit to Kericho County Referral Hospital, where he officially handed over the hospital’s title deed, Duale stressed that land ownership is a critical step in safeguarding the future of Kenya’s public health infrastructure. He cited ongoing concerns about land grabbing, which has affected several institutions across the country, including health facilities.
“I have looked for the title deeds of dispensaries and all hospitals. Over 10 million people go to hospitals in a day, so someone cannot purport to grab the land housing hospitals,” said Duale. He added that formal ownership documents will provide security and pave the way for future development in the health sector.
Duale lauded Kericho County for its advancements in neonatal care and implementation of the Social Health Authority program, which has already enrolled 390,000 residents. He emphasized the need for enhanced specialist training to further strengthen service delivery across counties.
During the event, local leaders took the opportunity to request the national government’s support in completing a 260-bed Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Centre. Once operational, the centre is expected to play a significant role in boosting universal health coverage and addressing the rising burden of chronic illnesses.
The issuance of title deeds is part of a broader government initiative to streamline operations in public facilities and ensure that health institutions are protected from legal disputes over land. Duale indicated that similar exercises would be rolled out across other counties to ensure every health facility has secure tenure.
As Kenya moves towards strengthening its healthcare system, securing the land on which its hospitals and dispensaries sit is seen as a foundational step to attracting investments, expanding infrastructure, and improving patient care. The Health CS reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring that public health assets are fully protected for future generations.
