'Kilifi turned down medical equipment,' Health CS Macharia now says

Kilifi County government refused the medical equipment commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has told a House committee.

The CS told the Health Committee of the National Assembly that the equipment unveiled by President Kenyatta at the Machakos Level 5 Hospital was meant for Kilifi. He said the equipment was diverted to Machakos after the Kilifi County government failed to co-operate with the contractors and showed lack of interest.

Some of the equipment at the Machakos Level 5 hospital. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Macharia said Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi refused to sign the intergovernmental MOU with the ministry, forcing the change of plans.

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi. CS Macharia claims Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi refused to sign the intergovernmental MOU with the ministry. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

However, Kilifi County government denied frustrating the Ministry of Health by refusing the  equipment and sending away contractors.

Kingi said his administration is committed to improving health standards in the county.

"We have allocated 36 per cent of this year's financial budget to health matters," Kingi said in a post on his Facebook page.

Kilifi Health Services County Executive Rachel Musyoki said due diligence had to be followed before the county government could take custody of the equipment.

"It was not in order that preparatory works be done before a contractual engagement was officially signed. Kingi signed the MOU on May 6, 2015," Musyoki said