This archive report was first published on 19 November 2019.
Published on November 19, 2019, residents of North Imenti in Meru County are facing a crisis due to poor road conditions that are hindering access to two hospitals in the area.
Consolata Gitoro Hospital, a 62-bed facility run by the Catholic Diocese, and Jordan Hospital, a private facility, are struggling to evacuate critically ill or injured patients due to the poor state of the roads.
Residents of Gitoro, Kambakia, and Makutano township have complained that the lack of good roads in the area, which is less than 10 kilometers from Meru town, is putting patients' lives at risk.
“While we appreciate that the national and county governments are not in sound financial health, we are appealing for the tarmacking of the road from Makutano to the hospitals,” said Jacinta Koome from nearby Kambakia village.
According to Koome, her aunt was in a critical condition last week but could not be driven to hospital due to the muddy and slippery road. They had to take her to the far-away Meru Level 5 Hospital where she is still admitted.
Residents are appealing to the government to extend the tarmac to reach the two hospitals, which serve North Imenti.
Major industries along the road from Makutano to Kambakia, including dairy and coffee farmers, have also added their voices to the matter.
“The government is tarmacking a small section up to the Three Steers, but it should be extended. This road serves tea and coffee farmers, and residents with large dairy herds,” said Kirimi Jervase.
