Ichung’wa asks Ruto to intervene in Kiambu health crisis

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has urged President William Ruto to intervene in what he described as a deepening health crisis in Kiambu County, where over 100 children and several mothers have reportedly died in recent weeks. 

Speaking during a Church Service attended by President Ruto, Ichung’wah expressed sadness that Kiambu has become a subject of discussion over healthcare failures.

“We are sad because our county has become a subject of discussion on national television, in many public fora, on matters touching on health care. We have seen reports, your excellency, in the last few weeks that over 100 plus children have died in our county and mothers as they gave birth,” he said.

“It is not because we do not have facilities. It is because our doctors have been forced to down their tools because the county government of Kiambu has refused to engage them.”

He contrasted the situation with Nairobi, commending Governor Johnson Sakaja for resolving a similar impasse with health workers.

“I thank Governor Sakaja because when doctors in Nairobi downed their tools, he humbled himself and put life ahead of politics and negotiated with his doctors and they got back to work,” he added.

The Majority Leader said leaders from Kiambu were ashamed that political differences had cost innocent lives.

Ichung’wah accused county hospitals of continuing to charge patients registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) despite national government directives that such patients should be treated without additional costs.

“We stand here today as leaders from Kiambu to tell you we are ashamed, very ashamed that we can be doing politics with the lives of young newborn children and expectant mothers. I’m sorry to inform your excellency, in Kiambu county, patients are still paying even those who are registered under SHA,” he said. 

He revealed that Kiambu is among the two counties that have not signed the intergovernmental agreement on the provision of diagnostic equipment for hospitals, despite the President’s earlier remarks on the matter. 

“I know you did not name them, but Kiambu is one of them,” Ichung’wah told the President.

He said he had met with representatives from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) who had pleaded for national intervention.

The Majority Leader urged local leaders to stop politicising health matters and to focus on saving lives.

“We do not want to do politics with the lives of our people. And we want to plead with all the leadership in Kiambu County to put life ahead of politics, to put life ahead of our egos,” Ichung’wah said.

The Majority Leader called for humility and unity in addressing the crisis to safeguard the lives of not just those mothers and children, but doing what God has purposed them to do as leaders.

KMPDU has planned a demonstration in Kiambu County on Monday, October 13, 2025.

In a statement on October 7, KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah said the protests initially scheduled for October 7, were made to allow broader participation, better coordination, and stronger engagement with all relevant stakeholders.

“This is to inform members, partners, and the public that the planned Kiambu demonstration, initially scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025, has been rescheduled to Monday, October 13, 2025,” Atellah said in a statement.

“This adjustment is intended to ensure broader participation, effective coordination, and meaningful engagement with all relevant stakeholders as we continue to demand accountability and dignified working conditions for doctors, as well as quality healthcare for all Kenyans.”