State medical equipment deal is flawed, says Munya

Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya responds to questions from senators when he appeared before the Senate’s finance committee on April 12, 2016. The Meru Governor said the medical equipment leased by the national government would have been cheaper if it had been bought by county governments. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Medical equipment would have been cheaper if it had been bought by county governments, Governor Peter Munya has said.
  • Speaking to the Daily Nation on Thursday, Mr Munya said the national government ignored objections by governors.
  • Mr Munya said Meru County government resorted to equipping the referral hospital following delays in delivering the machines.

Medical equipment would have been cheaper if it had been bought by county governments, Governor Peter Munya has said.

Speaking to the Daily Nation on Thursday, Mr Munya said the national government ignored objections by governors.

He also accused the national government of failing to deliver the equipment on time.

“We still maintain that leasing is very expensive but that has been overtaken by events since the national government went ahead and got the gadgets,” the county boss said.

“We are now demanding the immediate delivery of the machines.”

He said the national government had equipped two hospitals only.

“Why is the government pushing us if it cannot implement its programmes? Time is running out. The lease only lasts seven years,” Mr Munya said.

“Only Migori County has a complete set of the equipment promised.”

Mr Munya said Meru County government resorted to equipping the referral hospital following delays in delivering the machines.

“We bought the equipment needed and even surpassed what the government was offering. We have seven dialysis machines at the main hospital,” he added.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto had opposed the medical equipment but later softened his stance.

He was among governors who claimed they had not been consulted.

ALLEGED SABOTAGE

Early this month, Senator Kiraitu Murungi, accused Mr Munya of sabotaging the medical equipment scheme.

Mr Murungi and MPs Mithika Linturi (Igembe South), Rahim Dawood (Imenti North) and Joseph M’Eruaki (Igembe North), and Woman Representative Florence Kajuju warned that Meru was likely to miss out on the programme due to resistance from the county government.

“We shall not sit and watch our people suffer and die of cancer and diabetes just to satisfy the bloated ego of Governor Munya. We shall take very bold steps to ensure the equipment is delivered to Meru Level 5 Hospital as agreed between the Ministry and the Meru County Government,” the leaders said in the statement.

Mr Munya criticised the lawmakers, saying they were supporting the government.