AMPATH Uzima Strengthens County Ownership with Final Asset Transfer in Trans Nzoia

AMPATH Uzima through the support of the U.S. Department of State has concluded the release and the transfer of health and digital assets to all four counties it supports, concluding the process today with the formal transfer to the County Government of Trans Nzoia at the County Government Headquarters in Kitale. The assets, valued at KES 88.8 million ($675K USD), were transferred as part of AMPATH Uzima’s ongoing transition of programme-supported assets to county governments in preparation for the Government-to-Government (G2G) transition.

The ceremony was graced by H.E. Governor George Natembeya, alongside representatives of the County Executive Committee Members, the County Secretary, the County Director of Health and other senior county officials, as well as a delegation of AMPATH Uzima staff led by Chief of Party Prof. Sylvester Kimaiyo.

As part of the transition, newly provided health and digital equipment valued at KES 16.16 million was transferred to the County Government. The equipment includes 35 All-in-One desktop computers, 100 Samsung tablets, four Point-of-Care Ultrasound machines, two newborn resuscitaires with warmers, 22 Mikrotik routers, neonatal incubators, phototherapy units, patient vital-sign monitors, oxygen equipment and other essential maternal and newborn health equipment. The equipment will support digital health, diagnostics, maternal and newborn care and more efficient service delivery across the county.

Governor H.E. George Natembeya expressed appreciation to AMPATH for its enduring partnership and recognised its contribution to strengthening maternal and newborn health. Among many milestones, he noted that 150 health workers have been trained in Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and highlighted the expansion of the community health workforce from approximately 930 to more than 2,270 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), alongside the gazettement of five Smart Primary Care Networks (PCNs). He lauded CHPs as frontline health workers supporting health-seeking behaviour and linking communities to essential services.

Prof. Sylvester Kimaiyo recounted AMPATH’s journey in Trans Nzoia, which began with HIV care and treatment in 2005 and has since grown into a broader health partnership. With support from the U.S. Government and other global partners, AMPATH has progressively expanded its work to include HIV prevention, care and treatment, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N), a project at Matunda Sub-County Hospital, population health, Chamas for Change and research.
Under Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N), Prof. Kimaiyo highlighted the reduction in maternal mortality from 100.8 to 71 per 100,000 live births, the doubling of facilities providing 24/7 emergency care, and the improvement in postnatal care coverage from 61% to 96%.

The ceremony also featured a live demonstration of TaifaCare powered by the AMPATH Medical Record System (AMRS), showcasing the patient journey and how different health services can be integrated within a digital platform. The system supports continuity of care, access to patient information and more efficient management of health services. This complements the strengthening of facilities such as Matunda Sub-County Hospital, which is being positioned as a Centre of Excellence for integrated healthcare, bringing comprehensive services closer to residents.

Hon. Christopher Lorot, CECM for Health Services and Sanitation, thanked the AMPATH while commending the quality and relevance of the equipment. He described the package as well thought out and responsive to the current needs of health facilities, noting its potential to improve efficiency in service delivery.

Dr. Babu Kisiang’ani, County Director of Health, also reflected on the journey of HIV care globally, providing perspective on the evolution of the HIV response and the significant support AMPATH has provided to strengthen HIV services in Trans Nzoia.

During the ceremony, the County Government of Trans Nzoia also launched its Integrated Specimen Referral System (ISRS) Strategic Plan, providing a framework for strengthening coordination, ownership and management of the county’s specimen referral network. The plan will support the timely and safe transportation of specimens from health facilities to testing laboratories, contributing to timely diagnosis and quality healthcare.

The transition was formalised through the transfer of the assets to the stewardship and management of the County Government of Trans Nzoia. With the transfer, Trans Nzoia joins Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu and West Pokot, completing AMPATH Uzima’s asset transfer process across the four counties and strengthening county ownership and sustainability of health investments.

The ceremony concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of the asset transfer and celebrating the enduring partnership between AMPATH Uzima and the County Government of Trans Nzoia.