Trans Nzoia senator Dr. Micheal Mbito wants the national government to take over
construction of a teaching and referral hospital project that has taken over five years to be completed for alleged lack of funds.
Speaking to the press in Kitale today, Mbito accused the county government of using the project as a cash cow at the expense of residents.
The 400 bed health facility that was procured from a private developer has been under construction since July 2015.
According to the senator almost Sh1.1 billion has been paid to around 10 contractors that have been brought on board in different areas of the construction.
Mbito accused area governor of dragging to complete the health facility adding that his assurance to residents to finish the project last year has not been fulfilled.
He said that handing over the project to the national government will save residents the pain of getting poor services especially from the health function.
He accused the governor of ignoring other leaders adding that tax payers’ money must be used prudently for the benefit of Kenyans.
In his response, Governor Patrick Khaemba dismissed the allegations saying that the project is a public utility that is open to scrutiny from relevant government institutions.
“We welcome the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, Director of Public Prosecutions, Auditor General and Directorate of Criminal Investigations to take a keen look into this project and recommend further action if malpractices are found,” he said.
He attributed the delay to poor funding which he said has been spread across to four financial years. He added that the facility will still need equipment and personnel before it is opened to the public for use.
“We will be requiring about Sh2 billion to acquire medical equipment and Sh 500 million as starting capital. The facility will require a minimum of 1000 medical and non-medical personnel,” he said.
Once complete, the facility will have 10 operating theatres, 40 ICU beds, MRI and a complete suite of diagnostic equipment, modern laboratory, accident and emergency section, two linear accelerators for radiotherapy services, 15 renal beds, five bed burns unit, catheter lab, among others.
By Pauline Ikanda
