Karua slams Ruto over inaction on doctors strike

Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua.  [Samson Wire, Standard]

Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua has lashed out at the Kenya Kwanza government for lavish spending as Kenyans continue to suffer in hospitals due to the ongoing doctors’ strike.

Karua dismissed sentiments by President William Ruto that the country does not have funds to pay the striking doctors, insisting that the Kenya Kwanza administration had failed in its duty.

She said the suffering of patients and the doctors' strike lie squarely in the hands of the President who has continued to make foreign visits at the expense of addressing critical national issues.

“We reject claims by the President that the country does not have funds to pay the intern doctors salaries as we have seen the ongoing lavish spending by the government,” she said.

Speaking after meeting the party officials and supporters at Sawela Lodge in Naivasha on Monday, Karua decried the lack of medical supplies and adequate staff in public hospitals.

At the same time, she said the fake fertiliser poses a major threat to food security in the country amid the rising cost of goods.

The Narc Kenya leader said the situation has been worsened by the sub-standard seeds in the market and warned that this could in future have adverse effects on food safety.

“This is a well-calculated move by a cartel out to deny farmers certified seeds and fertiliser so that in future we shall have food shortage,” she said.

Flanked by the party delegates, Karua challenged President Ruto to come clean on the Ndabibi land scandal in Naivasha that has seen over 30 individuals arrested and arraigned in courts.

She called for the immediate withdrawal of GSU officers deployed to the disputed land that once belonged to ADC farm.

“Over 40,000 people in Ndabibi face displacement due to the takeover of this land and we are challenging the President to come clean on this issue,” she said.

Nakuru Narc-Kenya party chairman John Ngaruya condemned the continued occupation of the Ndabibi land by powerful individuals who were using security officers to antagonise residents.

“We are deeply perturbed by the oppression of the poor through high taxation, grabbing of land and supply of fake planting materials by powerful individuals in the government,” he said.

The party's national organising secretary, Paul Gichuke said they have launched a countrywide campaign to consolidate their supporter ahead of the 2027 General Election.