Mombasa Governor Nassir Vows to Improve Healthcare Services

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced plans to improve healthcare services in the coastal city by making impromptu visits to public medical facilities to assess healthcare infrastructure, discipline of healthcare workers, and patient care. He emphasized that his administration is committed to making quality healthcare services accessible to all residents of Mombasa. Nassir, also the Chairperson of the Council of Governors Committee on Health, stated that the ultimate goal is to enhance citizens' health and well-being.

Governor Nassir's administration has extended the month-long free healthcare initiative, 'Mwezi wa Baba', to November 30, 2026. The initiative, which started in October, aims to ease the burden of medical bills and expand access to essential health services for residents. So far, 200,000 patients have benefited from the free healthcare at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital under the 'Mwezi wa Baba' initiative. The county government has also hired 430 short-term healthcare workers to handle the increased patient turnout.

Nassir warned the newly recruited healthcare workers against maltreating patients or demanding illegal payments before providing services. He emphasized that the county leadership wants to experience the realities faced by ordinary citizens firsthand, without learning it from the media or any other quarter. The governor also urged residents to report any suspicious activities or corruption cases directly to his office through a dedicated hotline, 1599.

During an unannounced inspection visit at the Likoni sub-county hospital, Nassir directed the County Public Service Board to deploy more clinical staff to reduce long queues. The visit unearthed a medical quackery and impersonation case, resulting in the arrest of one person. Nassir has asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate thoroughly and pursue the strongest action the law allows.

The 'BabaCare' initiative, also known as 'Mwezi wa Baba', provides accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare services to all Kenyans, supporting the Universal Health Coverage agenda championed by the national government. The services provided under the initiative include specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, surgeries, cancer screenings, primary healthcare, and free maternity care.

The Mombasa County Government is investing in healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of a 50-bed maternity wing with a state-of-the-art operating theatre at Likoni hospital. Once complete, expectant mothers will no longer need to cross the ferry from the mainland south to access safe and timely care at Mombasa Island. The project aligns with the national and county-level commitments to the Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere initiative and related maternal and child health programmes.

Ongoing and planned health infrastructure projects in Mombasa include Mjambere Level 3 Hospital in Kisauni Sub-county, Port Reitz Level 4 Hospital, Raila Odinga Kongowea Level 4 Hospital, and expansions at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. The governor emphasized that his administration is seriously paying greater attention to improving healthcare infrastructure and services available to the people, particularly at the primary healthcare level, through collaboration with the M-PESA Foundation.

Key points

• Governor Nassir's administration has committed to making quality healthcare services accessible to all residents of Mombasa.
• The 'BabaCare' initiative aims to provide accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare services to all Kenyans.
• Mombasa County Government is investing in healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of a 50-bed maternity wing at Likoni hospital.