The Sh4 billion free maternity kitty has been moved from counties to the national government.
According to Health Permanent Secretary Nicholas Muraguri, beneficiaries of the kitty will now access it through the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Muraguri while speaking on Tuesday stated that the decision was arrived at after deep consultation with health stakeholders whose aim is to improve the efficiency and standards in hospitals across the country.
The kitty which is set to be launched next week is aimed at ensuring that expectant women get the best medical attention together with their unborn babies.
However the relocation of the kitty has triggered an uproar from a section of senators who accused the government of trying to paralyze the health sector.
Senators Okongo Mongare (Nyamira) and Hassan Omar (Mombasa) have opposed the fund relocation saying that the government is trying to disable counties through denial of vital services.
This comes at a time when some of the county governments have been in constant disagreement with workers something that has resulted into strikes.The most recent strike happening in Machakos and Embu counties.