This archive report was first published on 26 August 2020.
On August 26, 2020, the death of a Homa Bay nurse, Marianne Awuor, exposed the county's weaknesses in handling Covid-19 cases.
According to reports, the family of the late nurse had to pay penalties and remit money to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for her treatment, highlighting the county's lack of preparedness.
Members of the Senate Committee on Health sought answers on what led to the death of the medic, the stalemate between the county and healthcare workers, and how the county spent part of the Sh5 billion Covid-19 grant given to the counties by the national government.
During the hearing, Health executive Richard Muga stated that Ms Awuor had requested to be transferred to Kisii Referral Hospital to see her personal gynaecologist, citing it as a self-referral.
However, the widower, Stephen Okal Oketch, disputed this claim, stating that Ms Awuor was transferred when she developed breathing problems and there was no functional intensive care unit and specialist in Homa Bay County to attend to her.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union Nyanza chairman Kevin Osuri also testified that Ms Awuor did not leave the hospital to a private clinic but went because there was no oxygen in Oyugis and she had difficulties breathing.
