Ambulances for hire not economical, says governor

By NAFTAL MAKORI

NYAMIRA: A move by the Kenya Red Cross to partner with several counties in providing ambulance services has raised concerns over the cost.

Kisii and Bomet counties have already signed the deal and would be paying millions of shillings monthly to the voluntary organisation.

But other governors have declined to enter into such an arrangement.

Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama has announced that the county has acquired five ambulances that would be unveiled next month.

He said he refused to sign the Kenya Red Cross deal because the offer did not represent value for money.

“Red Cross deal was too expensive and uneconomical for our county,” he said when he addressed residents during the launch of county artificial insemination programme in Manga Sub county.

About three months ago, Kisii County unveiled nine ambulances to serve all its sub-counties at an undisclosed cost.

But sources say Kisii County could cough at least Sh7.5 million per month, amount payable to Red Cross.

controller of budget

The Standard reported this week that Bomet had signed a similar deal for six vehicles and the county government would be paying Sh3.6 million per month.

 Bomet has five sub-counties and each is expected to have at least one ambulance.

The office of Controller of Budget has already released a damning report that counties are spending monies allocated to them lavishly.

Between July and September last year, the counties spent Sh708 million on motor vehicle purchases alone.

During the launch of the ambulances, Kisii Governor James Ongwae said his government has put adequate measures to avoid misuse of the vehicles.

He said each would be handled by at least two Red Cross employees.

Red Cross Society of Kenya Secretary General Abbas Gullet argues that counties cannot do everything on their own and partnership with organisations like his are judicious.