Governors back Raila, say they were forced to take medical equipment

Governors have supported Cord leader Raila Odinga's remarks that they were forced to sign for the Sh38 billion medical equipment by the national government.

Council of Governors chairman Peter Munya said that was why he was the last to sign for the equipment.

Only Bomet governor Isaac Ruto is yet to append his signature for the equipment.

Fielding questions from journalists after presiding over a harambee in aid of Igandene Secondary School in Meru on Saturday evening, Mr Munya said the procurement of the machines was shrouded in mystery.

Mr Munya said the county bosses were reluctant to get the machines because some devolved units already had them and did not require to lease others.

He said a vicious propaganda was launched against governors who had not taken the machines forcing them to do so.

USED AS EXCUSE

Mr Munya said the Meru Referral Hospital already had better machines and those from the national government would be distributed to Kanyakine, Nyambene, Mithiane and other hospitals.

He said governors only received the machines as they did not want their refusal to be used as an excuse for the suffering of patients.

Mr Munya regretted that some workers were being used to tamper with expensive machines including a Sh47 million CT scan at Meru Referral Hospital so that those from national government could be taken there.

On Friday, Mr Odinga said the supply of the Sh38 billion equipment was a major scandal that needs to be investigated.

He said the deal was done without involvement of counties which were only used as conduits for graft.

He said some of equipment like scissors, tongs and trolleys could have been bought cheaply instead of being leased.

The 47 counties, he said, are to pay Sh96 million each for the equipment for seven years burdening tax payers.

MURUNGI 'MISLEADING' UHURU

The CoG boss also accused Senator Kiraitu Murungi and some other Meru MPs of having worked hard to sabotage the just concluded devolution conference.

Mr Munya also asked President Kenyatta not to be misled by Mr Murungi not to visit Meru.

He said President Kenyatta who missed the third Annual Devolution Conference was welcome to visit the county and that locals fully backed his administration.

Mr Munya said those who wanted the conference to collapse also disconnected a multi-million shilling CT scan at Meru Referral Hospital to sabotage him.

He also said the governors meeting benefited Meru residents with all hotels being fully booked. He said more than 6000 delegates attended the conference at Meru National Polytechnic.

Mr Munya said delegates indicated the conference was the most successful and likened it to an African Union Summit.

The governor further led residents in declaring that Mr Murungi should stick to his Senatorial seat and stop his interest to vie for the gubernatorial seat.

Mr Munya said he deserved re-election having spearheaded development in whole of Meru without discrimination.