Millions wasted as medical equipment lie idle in counties

Medical equipment valued at more than Sh100 million remains unused in several counties, even as local governments continue investing in new health facilities.

The situation has raised concerns about planning and resource management in the healthcare sector.

A report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu for the 2023/24 financial year highlights numerous cases where expensive medical equipment and hospital projects remain underutilized long after completion. The report questions whether public funds are being used effectively.

Several counties, including Kilifi, Kitui, Machakos, Nyeri, Nakuru, Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, and Kisii, have been flagged for failing to ensure medical infrastructure is put to use.

This failure violates the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, which mandates efficient utilization of public resources.

In Kilifi, a digital X-ray machine worth Sh14.4 million was delivered in February 2024, but by October, one of the units was still in storage.

Additionally, a medical incinerator procured at Sh33.5 million in March 2024 had yet to be put to use seven months later.

Nyeri County constructed and equipped operating theatres at Naromoru Level Four Hospital, including an air conditioning system worth Sh9.7 million.

However, the facility remains idle, offering no benefit to residents.

Siaya County has also struggled with underutilized resources. An X-ray machine at Got Agulu Hospital has never been used due to a lack of trained personnel to operate it.

Kitui County faces similar issues. A Sh2.2 million X-ray building at Kauwi Hospital has remained non-operational while waiting for an X-ray machine to be installed.

Another X-ray machine, acquired for Sh70 million in the 2017/18 financial year, has never been installed or commissioned.

An oxygen plant worth Sh14.5 million, supplied to Kitui County Referral Hospital in 2016/17, was still not in use as of September 2024.

“Further, the machine is stored in an unsecured space outside, exposing it to risk of deterioration due to adverse weather conditions,” the Auditor-General’s report states.

In Machakos, despite 67 clinical officers and 61 doctors being on the payroll, some have not been actively working.

A review of the Integrated Health Management System (IHMS) found no recorded activity for clinical officers and doctors from September 2023, when Level Four and Five hospitals were digitized, and between February and March 2024, when Level Three and Four hospitals were digitized.

Nakuru County has also been flagged, with four completed health projects worth Sh30.2 million lying idle due to a lack of equipment and generators.

Kisumu County awarded contracts worth Sh10.8 million to construct maternity units at Dago Kotiende and Kowino and rehabilitate Chulaimbo Hospital. Despite being completed, these projects remain unused as of September 2024.

Migori County has also been affected. A Sh2.9 million ablution block at Rongo Hospital is still awaiting handover by the contractor. Similarly, in Kisii, projects worth Sh3.2 million were completed but have not been utilized.

The Auditor-General’s report raises concerns about healthcare investments by county governments.

Despite spending millions of shillings on medical projects, many remain idle, leaving Kenyans without the healthcare services they need