Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja (Keroche). Photo/Newsflash
By Wesley Koech
Nakuru County Senator Tabitha Karanja (Keroche) has threatened to table a bill that bars the President and governors from seeking medical treatment abroad.
Karanja has taken the initiative amid claims that Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has abdicated her duties to be treated abroad.
She argued that instead of flying out for medication, the leaders should improve the quality of local and national hospitals to cut down on treatment costs they incur in foreign countries.
“I am taking it upon myself to push for a Bill that will prohibit governors and the President from seeking medical treatment abroad. Leaders must experience the same healthcare system as the people they serve,” the Senator said.
She said that the move would compel them to invest in and improve the hospitals for all Kenyans, urging her colleagues to support the Bill and stand for a healthcare system that serves everyone equally.
“If our hospitals aren’t good enough for leaders, why should they be good enough for the people?” she posed.
According to her, the state of the health sector at the county is worrying and should be treated as a matter of urgency.
Karanja stated that she was agitated to see Kihika travelling to the United States of America (USA) to deliver a baby while the county residents struggle even to get services even from dispensaries.
“Our Governor had the audacity to tell her Chief of Staff to inform the county that she has gone to give birth in the USA while our women in Nakuru are giving birth on the road side,” she said.
The residents of Amalo ward in Kuresoi constituency had protested over the poor state of health facilities, claiming that even the health personnel lack basic commodities such as medicine.
“As women, we have very many challenges. To Governor Kihika; does it sit well with you going to give birth abroad while we are experiencing this on our roads?” wondered one of the protesters.
