Red Cross ambulance deal costly, say leaders
What you need to know:
- Governor Samuel Tunai and Red Cross Secretary-General Abbas Gullet signed an agreement in which the county government would hire 11 ambulances from the organisation for Sh79 million a year.
- Mr Gullet has also defended the agreement, saying, it was above board and would provide counties with a solution for emergency services.
- Kakamega requested six ambulances, while Bomet received six and will pay Sh600,000 for each, per month.
- The Kakamega County government said the ambulance deal would cost Sh15 million per vehicle per month.
The deal between the county government and the Kenya Red Cross for lease of ambulances is too costly, some leaders from the region have said.
Governor Samuel Tunai and Red Cross Secretary-General Abbas Gullet signed an agreement in which the county government would hire 11 ambulances from the organisation for Sh79 million a year.
The county has already received the emergency response vehicles, which are staffed by 22 qualified medical workers.
However, the leaders have criticised the deal, saying, it does not give the county value for its money.
MPs Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok West), Moitalel ole Kenta (Narok North) and former TLB boss Hassan ole Kamwaro said it is too expensive and uneconomical.
Mr Kamwaro said the monthly charges of Sh600,000 per vehicle did not make sense. The money is enough to buy the vehicles at a more affordable cost, he argued.
However, the governor said the county had sealed a good deal, which considered other important factors including the rough terrain of the region.
GOOD DEAL
In addition, the vehicles have intensive care equipment and other provisions just like mobile hospitals and health centres, he said.
He said the Red Cross is meeting the cost of maintaining the vehicles, stocking them with drugs and staffing them, making them efficient and reliable.
Mr Gullet has also defended the agreement, saying, it was above board and would provide counties with a solution for emergency services.
Kisii, Kakamega and Bomet counties also signed a similar deal with the organisation, and will be paying millions of shillings every month for the provision of ambulance services.
About four months ago, Kisii County acquired nine ambulances at an undisclosed cost. However, sources said it would be paying Sh7.5 million to the Red Cross every month.
Kakamega requested six ambulances, while Bomet received six and will pay Sh600,000 for each, per month.
The Kakamega County government said the ambulance deal would cost Sh15 million per vehicle per month.
