- But in a rejoinder, Seki told the governor to stop misleading the people of Kajiado, adding that the governor must account for all his deeds.
- “The senator should visit hospitals, not hotels to ascertain whether doctors are working or whether drugs are there,” said the governor.
Image: KURGAT MARINDANY
Governor Joseph ole Lenku has blasted senator Samuel ole Seki for holding health stakeholders’ meetings in Kajiado hotels meant to rebuke his administration.
Lenku, speaking for the first time after the controversial transfer of medical personnel, claimed the senator is bitter because his wife was transferred from the Kajiado referral hospital to a Ward hospital in Ewuaso.
But in a rejoinder, Seki told the governor to stop misleading the people of Kajiado, adding that the governor must account for all his deeds.
“Lenku is scared because I have embarked on finding out the truth about our county health services that have been run down. People have written to me complaining of poor health services, lack of ambulances, dirty hospitals and shortage of water,” said Seki.
He said Lenku as the county CEO, will have to account for every mishap caused by his administration.
“Once I have talked to the people, I will compile all the issues that require his attention. I will call on him to discuss the same and if he is not willing to sit with me, I will force him to appear before the senate and answer questions,” said Seki.
While hitting Seki, Lenku said the senator worked at the county for five years as a minister and understands all the health issues.
“The senator should visit hospitals, not hotels to ascertain whether doctors are working or whether drugs are there,” said the governor.
During Seki’s meetings in Kajiado and Kitengela on Tuesday, the health stakeholders told the senator of horror stories such as flying toilets, dirt and lack of beds at the county referral hospital.
Most of them accused Lenku’s administration of overcharging patients for sleeping in the county hospitals that do not provide medicine, water or quality food.
Emmy Kung’u told Seki during the Kajiado meeting that she was charged Sh12,000 when her patient was discharged.
“I was buying all the medicine from the chemist, I was providing all the meals and water for my patient. So why are they charging me Sh12,000 for the bed alone? That is a very expensive lodging,” said Kung’u.
On Thursday, Lenku claimed the county has supplied enough drugs to all the hospitals and health centres in Oloika.
“We are deficient in drugs because Kemsa and Meds do not give us drugs as per what we require or as per what we order,” claimed Lenku.
He said the senator should source funds in Nairobi for buying medicines, employ doctors and equipment like x-ray machines and employ specialists.
“Our level 1,2,3 we have supplied anti-snake venoms and anti-rabies vaccines,” he said.
In Kajiado referral hospital, Lenku said the county will renovate it and give a face-lift.
“At Kitengela sub-county we have put systems that capture patients’ information, registration, patient disease, clinical and drugs plus charges,” said Lenku.
On matters of transfers, Lenku said, they shall not retreat on their stand.
He accused some of the transferred officers of allegedly having parallel related activities like chemists, clinics and labs.
“We had to move them away, and let them manage their businesses far from the area of work,” he said.
Seki should solicit foodstuff from the national government, address animals-human conflict and employment of teachers, Lenku added.
“Last but not least Seki should refrain from hotel meetings taking tea and mandazis but should work alongside side with us,” the governor said
During the Seki’s meeting in Kitengela on Tuesday, Kajiado civil society and Isinya social justice centre claimed the county was heading in the wrong direction.
“The leadership in this county is Machiavellian and indeed Pavlonian combined. I say this because it is cunning, manipulative and classically conditions people follow and stick to a certain script whether reasonable or otherwise,” claimed activist Benjamin Tipatet.
Tipatet said the recent transfers in the health sector were a blessing in disguise because they opened a can of worms, adding that they finally lifted a lid on the height of incompetency in the management of health issues.
It is common sense and a basic management principle that a demoralised workforce will not deliver, he said
He said that people working in fear or under threats will naturally be very demotivated and will neither be creative nor willing to sacrifice because of being under a hegemonic leadership that knows it all.
Image: KURGAT MARINDANY.