Senators seek report on status of Sh38bn medical equipment deal
An operating theatre at Machakos Level 5 Hospital. Senators want the government to release a status report of the Sh38 billion medical equipment leased to the county governments indicating all the hospitals that have so far benefitted. . PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI |
Senators want the government to release a status report of the Sh38 billion medical equipment leased to the county governments, indicating all the hospitals that have so far benefitted.
The lawmakers on Wednesday said Kenyans were in the dark over how the contested equipment had been distributed and which hospitals acquired them.
They now want the Ministry of Health to provide a comprehensive report on how the equipment was acquired and how far it has been distributed among the 47 counties.
Vihiga Senator George Khaniri (UDF) said the ministry should provide all the details including the cost, type of equipment and the benefiting hospitals.
Other senators joined in, saying they should be informed about the origin of the equipment.
“We want the House to be told who has leased the equipment to the government, where the company is incorporated and who are the directors and their details,” said Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula.
The acquisition of the equipment caused a lot of furore last year as the national government and the counties engaged in a bitter contest over how to go about the lease.
“It is important for us to know which hospitals have benefitted in the counties that have signed the contract for the lease,” said Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
