This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
As of July 8, 2020, Kenya's Ministry of Health reported that only 27 out of 47 counties had achieved the 300-bed capacity for Covid-19 patients, a minimum requirement set by the Ministry.
The 27 counties that met the requirement include Nairobi, Mombasa, Machakos, Makueni, Garissa, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Kilifi, Homa Bay, Nyeri, Kericho, Kakamega, Mandera, Nakuru, Kisii, Laikipia, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Murang'a, and Kwale.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that no Covid-19 patients would be airlifted to Nairobi from other counties, citing the lack of capacity.
Speaking during his tour of Makueni County, CS Kagwe praised Governor Kivutha Kibwana's administration for its high standard of readiness, citing the county's achievement of 300-bed isolation capacity, 2 ICU beds, 20 HDU beds, and 2 quarantine facilities.
However, 20 counties requested an extension until July 22 to procure the necessary beds, and 10 counties were yet to acquire a single ICU bed, including Elgeyo Marakwet, Vihiga, Samburu, Tana River, Embu, and others.
CS Kagwe emphasized the need to upgrade the level of preparedness at the county level, focusing not only on physical infrastructure but also human resource capacity and compliance with containment measures.
