I won’t sign for Sh800m medical kit: Chepkwony

Kericho governor Paul Chepkwony during a past interview. Prof Chepkwony has declined a request by Deputy President William Ruto to sign an agreement with the National Government which will allow two selected medical facilities in his county to receive Intensive Care Unit equipment. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Prof Chepkwony claimed that the machines that would be given to Kericho and Sigowet District Hospitals by the Ministry of Health have been grossly overpriced and wondered how just two machines could cost Sh808 million.
  • The DP said it was unfair for governors to stand in the way of the national government’s development plans. He added that Kenyans needed the machines to improve health service delivery at the grassroots level.
  • Two hospitals were selected in every county to receive the equipment once respective county governors sign the MOU in the deal which is expected to cost Sh38 billion.

Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony has declined a request by Deputy President William Ruto to sign an agreement with the National Government which will allow two selected medical facilities in his county to receive Intensive Care Unit equipment.

Prof Chepkwony on Tuesday declared that he would not sign the documents even “at gun-point.”

“I have been asked to go and sign for the equipment but I will not do it even at gun-point. That will be like betraying my county because I do not fully understand if there is value for money. The same machines cost less than Sh200 million so where is the rest of the money?” he asked.

He was addressing staff, patients and supporters at the Kericho District Hospital while receiving a consignment of drugs worth Sh14 million from the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency.

Prof Chepkwony claimed that the machines that would be given to Kericho and Sigowet District Hospitals by the Ministry of Health have been grossly overpriced and wondered how just two machines could cost Sh808 million.

The machines will be leased from General Electric of America which will operate them, train staff and maintain them for 10 years.

Two weeks ago, while addressing a meeting at Kapkatet Stadium in Bureti Constituency, Mr Ruto asked Prof Chepkwony to “hurry up” and sign the documents so that the machines could be delivered to the county.

The DP said it was unfair for governors to stand in the way of the national government’s development plans. He added that Kenyans needed the machines to improve health service delivery at the grassroots level.

“Governor, go and sign the documents so that the machines can be delivered as we have already released the money.,” he said. However yesterday, Prof Chepkwony stood his ground and claimed that counties stood to lose millions of shillings in the deal that would see them pay Sh80 million yearly to the national government for the lease period of ten years.

“This cannot work. I cannot commit the county in that manner. I will only sign if the machines are worth the value for the money in the deal,” he added.

The project, which is being run by the Health Ministry, has received enormous opposition from the Council of Governors, currently chaired by the Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, with the county bosses saying they were not consulted before it was rolled out.

Two hospitals were selected in every county to receive the equipment once respective county governors sign the MOU in the deal which is expected to cost Sh38 billion.

The machines to be received include Intensive care Unit equipment, digital and mobile X-ray machines, dialysis machines, Mammography units and imaging equipment.

When President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto launched the equipment leasing plan on February 6 at State House, all the 47 governors snubbed the event.

Yesterday Health CS James Macharia said the National Government would not force counties to accept the machines.

“Thirty governors have already signed for them,” he said.