Dispensaries lying idle countrywide for lack of staff, tools and medicine

Dispensaries put up by billions of shillings from devolved funds in constituencies are barely functional due to inadequate staff and equipment.

Although large amounts of money from the CDF has been spent on the programme, political differences among former and current MPs, lack of nurses, clinical officers and medical supplies has meant that the facilities in most areas are inert.

The government is in the process of recruiting 4,200 nurses for constituencies, but the number is unlikely to satisfy the appetite for medical staff who also should include physiotherapists and doctors.

Health centres

In Molo and Kuresoi constituencies, only 14 out of the 31 health centres built using the CDF kitty are operational.

According to the Kuresoi CDF chairman Isaac Ngeno, his committee has built four health centres in Mau summit, Sirikwa, Kaplamai and Tinet at a cost of Sh7.6 million.

In Molo constituency Sh16.2 has been used to build 27 health centres. Ten have stalled, according to the CDF manager Benard Mbugua.

“When the government pinpointed some of the areas in the constituency as part of Mau Forest, we found no need of continuing with them,” Mr Mbugua said.

In Nakuru Town constituency, Sh16.2 million has so far been received through the economic stimulus programme to upgrade Mirugi Kariuki Dispensary, named after a former area MP.

Although the project has started, another Sh3.8 million is required to equip it.

Latest records from the CDF office show Sh1.5 million was allocated to build a maternity ward at Barut West ward of the Rift Valley general hospital. The hospital in Nakuru is referral and serves the entire Rift Valley Province. And yet the project is complete, according to CDF manager Njoroge Gichuhi.

In Laikipia West, of the 26 health projects started since the inception of the CDF programme, Rumuruti sub-district hospital was the biggest beneficiary of funds until Ndindika got Sh30 million Economic Stimulus funding. The dispensary received Sh7 million between April 2004 and September 2007.
In Coast Province, two CDF dispensaries in Kisauni have taken much time to complete in what many believe to be political reasons.

Maweni dispensary was put up during former MP Anania Mwaboza’s tenure in 2007, but three years later the dispensary is yet to open. Instead, it has become home for goats with the stench of their urine all over the veranda.

A watchman sleeps in the six-room building, which seems abandoned, with piles of dry plants strewn all over the veranda. Area CDF chairman Hamisi Mwaguya says Sh1.7 million has been spent on the dispensary.

Mombasa medical health officer Shabiby Mufidha said completion of the two CDF dispensaries had over-delayed.

In Changamwe constituency, Miritini and Bokole dispensaries were each constructed at Sh3 million.

The Nation found Miritini Dispensary operating smoothly without hitches. It has six nurses who attend to about 80 patients per day some from as far as from neighbouring Kwale District.

Secretary to the CDF kitty in the constituency Maamun Abubakar said they intended to sink a borehole at the dispensary.