Isiolo county boss storms referral hospital to eject official
Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo (right) stares at an angry crowd at the County Referral Hospital that had confronted him after he disrupted an impromptu visit by Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya on July 8, 2016. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Governor claims that the bona fide medical superintendent is Dr Stephen Kiluva.
- Mr Doyo confronted Dr Mohammud, exchanging bitter words before ejecting him out of the hospital.
- Dr Mohammud had been removed from the position for divulging issues affecting the hospital to the media.
There was drama and chaos on Friday morning at the Isiolo Referral Hospital when the governor stormed the facility to stop an inspection tour by a team led by County Commissioner George Natembeya.
Twenty minutes after the arrival of the administrator and his security team, Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo stormed the facility to find them inspecting the maternity wing flanked by the recently reinstated medical superintendent Abdikadir Mohammud.
Dr Mohammud had been removed from the position for divulging issues affecting the hospital to the media, but the County Assembly reinstated him.
On Friday, Mr Doyo confronted Dr Mohammud, exchanging bitter words before ejecting him out of the hospital.
Before the disruption at 10.30 am, the security team had toured the laboratory, pharmacy and some wards following concerns over poor service delivery.
Governor Doyo convened an urgent meeting but did not allow Dr Mohammud to attend.
"The County Assembly has no powers to demote or promote any official. Therefore, the person taking you on a tour is an imposter," said Mr Doyo.
He accused the media of spreading rumours regarding the state of the hospital, adding that Dr Stephen Kiluva was the bona fide medical superintendent.
"Dr Mohammud who is the source of (that) information wasn't right and it defeats its purpose," said the governor.
But Mr Natembeya said the public should have access to information according to the Constitution.
"The security team is obliged to visit government institutions including the hospital. There is nothing wrong in doing that," the county commissioner protested.
Mr Natembeya said the hospital was in a dire condition, urging the governor to resolve the internal wrangles to enable the facility run smoothly.
“There are two medical superintendents and both have staff allied to them hence dividing the facility right in the middle and affecting service delivery,” said Mr Natembeya.
However, events took another nasty turn after the meeting when angry residents stormed the hospital demonstrating against the governor’s move to eject Dr Mohammud.
Angry locals threw stones at the governor’s delegation destroying county vehicles and injuring officials.
Police had to intervene to disperse the crowd.
When asked, Dr Mohammud said he was championing against the poor condition at the facility hence his ejection.
(Editing by Joel Muinde)
