President Uhuru Kenyatta warns civil servants over graft

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore chat after unveiling the renovated wards and upgraded laundry facilities at Mathare National Referral and Training Hospital Wednesday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to deal with public servants who misuse resources meant for development.

Speaking at the commissioning of a Kenya @50 refurbishment of a section of Mathare National Teaching and Referral Hospital Wednesday, President Kenyatta directed Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia to complete the refurbishment of other dilapidated structures at the institution.

"We have seen what Sh50 million can do. This is because it was undertaken by a private sector. If it was in the public sector, this would have cost much more. I'm watching keenly," said Uhuru.

The renovation of the facility and establishment of a laundry unit was done by the Safaricom Foundation. The President said he had instructed National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich to allocate another Sh50 million to be used to refurbish other wards and ensure that the staff lived in a good environment to boost delivery of quality services.

"Renovation of this facility will contribute to increased healthcare for the patients at the hospital and aligns closely with my Government's commitment to have Kenyans access the highest attainable standard of health including mental illness," he said.

According to World Health Organisation statistics, one in every four patients visiting a primary health facility in Kenya suffers from mental illness.