A new report by Infotrak Research & Consulting has ranked Homa Bay County as the best-performing county in Kenya in terms of health services for the year 2024, with an impressive health performance index of 53%.
The report, which assesses counties based on various health service indicators, placed Murang’a County in second place with a score of 52%. Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Kisii, and Kisumu tied at third place, each recording an index of 46%.
Counties that performed moderately well in health service delivery include Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Kiambu, and Trans Nzoia, all tied at 45%. Coastal counties like Kwale, Kilifi, and Mombasa, along with West Pokot, recorded an index of 44%.
However, several counties lagged, with Bomet, Vihiga, Kakamega, and Busia sitting at the bottom of the rankings with a score of 41%. The report also highlighted those counties such as Narok, Siaya, and Turkana performed below average, with an index of 42%.
The mean health performance index for all counties was recorded at 42%, indicating that Kenya’s overall health sector still has room for improvement.
Health experts and policymakers have called for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and services in the underperforming counties. “These findings highlight the disparities in health service delivery across counties. There is an urgent need for targeted interventions, particularly in counties scoring below the national average,” said a health policy expert.
Governors from the leading counties have attributed their success to improved healthcare financing, better management of medical personnel, and increased accessibility to healthcare facilities.
The Infotrak report serves as a crucial tool for county governments to assess their progress and strategize on enhancing healthcare services for their residents.
Infotrak is a leading research firm in Kenya, known for conducting surveys and reports on governance, healthcare, and public service delivery. Their annual Health Performance Index provides valuable insights into the state of healthcare services across Kenya’s 47 counties.
