The governor accuses the three Tharaka Nithi lawmakers of taking advantage of the situation to gain political mileage
Tharaka Nithi Governor Samuel Ragwa has criticised three lawmakers who questioned his “silence” on the Sh4 million medical equipment stolen from a Chuka hospital. It was recovered in Mwiki, Nairobi, on Thursday. The anaesthesiology machine had been stolen from the newly constructed maternity wing in Chuka Referral Hospital on April 27.
Ragwa said the leaders rushed to make “unnecessary” remarks, instead of waiting for police to investigate. He spoke on Thursday at Chuka police station after receiving the equipment.
On May 3, three MPs urged the governor to explain how the equipment, procured through the national government Sh38 billion leasing programme, was stolen.
The MPs also questioned why no one had been arrested seven days after the incident. They are Muthomi Njuki (Chuka Igambang’ombe), Alex Mwiru (Tharaka) and Tharaka Nithi woman representative Beatrice Nkatha.
They demanded either the contractor or the Health executive be surcharged for negligence if the equipment is not recovered.
Ragwa accused the lawmakers of taking advantage of the situation to gain their political mileage. “They rushed to make conclusions for their personal gains,” Ragwa said.
He praised police for recovering the machine and said he will ensure there are no thefts.
“We shall also tag all assets of the county government to ensure they are easily identified,” Ragwa said. He said not all hospital staff should be blamed for the theft of the machine.
“There was only one clinical officer, who orchestrated the theft. He has been arrested and will be charged,” Ragwa said.
Health executive Magdalene Njeru told the press it was not the first time property was lost at the hospital. “The other day a motorbike was stolen and it was not recovered,” she said.
County chief was told to explain the theft
Njuki, Muiru and Nkatha had told Ragwa to explain how the equipment was stolen. “The governor has not visited the hospital and is silent on the matter, except for trying to politicise the issue in political rallies,” the MPs said in a press release to media houses. The lawmakers questioned why the multimillion-shilling machine was stored in a building under construction. They also demanded the custodian of keys to the maternity theatre be identified.