Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, officials snub governors’ meeting

World Bank Director Christopher Finch, Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya and Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi after the two day council workshop at Enashipai Spa in Naivasha, Friday. [PHOTO: ANTONY GITONGA/ STANDARD]

Ministry of Health officials including Cabinet Secretary James Macharia and Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri snubbed governors invite to shed more light on the controversial Sh38 billion medical equipment project.

Council of Governors (CoG) chairman Peter Munya (Meru Governor), during the council meeting in Naivasha yesterday, expressed concern that the ministry officials did not show up yet it could have been a good forum to discuss the matter and clear any misunderstandings on the project.

“We expected the CS and his team to be here (Naivasha) to explain to us this matter. We are not opposed to the signing of the MoU to get the equipment only that we have to know and Kenyans too, what we are getting into,” said Mr Munya.

The governors said they were not opposed to the project as long as there is full disclosure on the agreement.

They denied government claims that they have declined to sign the pact with the Ministry of Health, insisting that counties need the equipment but there should be transparency.

“Some of us have signed the document, this does not mean they consent. Those yet to sign are also not refusing to do so, but we must have a clear understanding of the whole procurement process,” said Munya.

The government has come out strongly to defend the project, which it maintains is free and dismissed as unfounded allegations by governors that it was singled sourced and the deal was shrouded in mystery.

The CoG chairman, flanked by about 30 governors, including the council Whip Governor Ukur Yattani (Marsabit) lamented that the project was done in secrecy yet the public would want value for money.

Yesterday’s meeting also brought together the donor community, who are said to be funding the project in the counties through the National Government.

Mr Yattani affirmed that the medical equipment project is a contentious issue that must be addressed with caution.

“The issue of medical equipment is top of agenda. We have to take a serious stand on the matter,” he stressed.

Mr Macharia had indicated to The Standard on Saturday that he would not attend the meeting, as he would be out of the country on official duties. Efforts to get a comment from Dr Muraguri were futile.

Governors however, held a private session meeting with the donors and the details were not immediately availed, though it bordered on the medical equipment kitty, where each county gets Sh95 million per year.

Munya, at the same time, said counties just like the national government, should be allowed to borrow funds from development partners.

He noted that counties were not benefiting from funds borrowed by the national government adding that instead their share of revenue allocation was dropping.

“As the national government debts grows, counties are getting lesser in terms of revenue allocation yet they are not benefiting from the borrowings,” he said.

He defended devolved governments saying two years after their implementation there were a lot of success stories.

He noted that the mortality rate in Northern Kenya had dropped significantly due to adequate medicine in county hospitals.

He revisited the clash between the National Assembly and Senate over the proposed additional allocation of Sh7.7 billion to counties, terming the differences uncalled for.