Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia defends Sh38b medical equipment, says project was driven by public demand

Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia during World Malaria Day Stakeholder Breakfast meeting in April. [Photo: Andrew Kilonzi/Standard]

Kenya: Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has defended the controversial Sh38 billion medical equipment saying that it was demand driven and not as a request from counties.

CS Macharia further clarified that the project is not leasing or buying equipment, but procuring services. Senators faulted the managed equipment service saying health is a fully devolved function, but Macharia maintained the project was driven by public demand and not counties.

He added that counties were consulted including governors and their CECs for finance and health.

Macharia said he discussed the project with Governors Jack Ranguma and Abdullahi Mohammed and they were very happy, ticked all the seven blocks and promised to talk to their colleagues.