This archive report was first published on 5 January 2022.
January 5, 2022, marked a day of reckoning for Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga as he admitted his administration's struggles in delivering quality healthcare to the county's residents.
Speaking during a cabinet reshuffle, Kahiga acknowledged that the health docket, which is funded to the tune of Sh3 billion, has been a major challenge for his government.
The health docket has seen two officials, Dr. Racheal Kamau and Dr. Kwai Wanjaria, resign in quick succession, with Kamau leaving after being sent on a 45-day compulsory leave in October 2021 and Wanjaria quitting within 50 days of his appointment.
"It's true that the health docket has been a problem in my government for the last four years, to an extent of taking a toll on the health of Dr. Kamau who has resigned. To make matters worse, I gave it to Dr. Kwai Wanjaria, but again he has resigned 50 days on this appointment, but we are doing our best," said Kahiga.
The admission came amid heavy criticism of the county government's provision of health services, with a section of Nyeri residents led by Senator Ephraim Maina complaining of a lack of drugs and poor diet for patients admitted in various public hospitals.
Most patients decried the constant lack of essential drugs in hospitals, forcing them to buy prescribed medicines at private chemists.
Kahiga, however, insisted that his administration was doing its best, citing the Sh3 billion expenditure of the health docket as an indication of his government's commitment to investing in healthcare.
He also assigned the health docket to Robert Thuo, the current County Executive Member for Finance, on an acting capacity, following the resignation of Dr. Wanjaria.
