MPs, senators approve construction of new referral hospital in Uasin Gishu

Members of Parliament drawn from Senate and National Assembly on Saturday backed the construction of a new referral hospital in Uasin-Gishu County.

The leaders among them National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Senators Charles Keter (Kericho) and Stephen Sang (Nandi) said the Sh17 billion was sufficient to construct the new facility.

Others were Senator Stephen Sang (Nandi), Julius Melly (Tinderet), James Bett (Kesses), Zipporah Kering (Women MP), Kirwa Bitok (Mosop), Elijah Lagat (Chesumei) and Jackson Rop (Kipkelion West).

“This project will go a long way in the provision of medical services like radiology, intensive care unit (ICU) among other services for the people. We fully support the Government in the construction of a new referral hospital,” said Mr. Sang.

The leaders praised the move by Deputy President William Ruto to stop renovations at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital using the Sh17 billion saying such repairs could have been used to siphon public funds.

Mr. Serem, a member of the parliamentary committee on health said the expansion project was started in 2011 under the watch of former Medical Services Minister Prof Anyang Nyong’o.

Speaking at Meteitei secondary school in Nandi County during a thanksgiving ceremony presided over by the Deputy President, the MPs told the Opposition leaders to stop dragging the name of Mr. Ruto in a project, which was under their watch when it was started.

“This project was started in 2011 when Mr. Nyong’o was minister in charge of the docket. They should stop blaming Deputy President for something they are directly responsible for,” said Ms. Kering who is also a member of the parliamentary committee on health.

They said the so-called Sh17 billion repairs was the work of the "middleman and his masters" who received kickbacks in the last Government even before the project commenced.

The Ministry of Heath has dismissed claims that the upgrade will cost Sh28 billion as claimed by Mr. Herbert Ojwang'.

Mr. Sang said Mr. Ojwang' was a bitter man after his scheme to illegally pocket Sh850 million was nipped in the bud.

The MPs said the former Prime Minister had been implicated by Mr. Ojwang' in the tape he presented to the Public Investment Committee having received Sh5 million and campaign funds.

Mr. Duale wondered how the broker managed to get his way into the Public investments Committee (PIC).

“In fact PIC must tell Parliament how the broker, Mr. Ojwang appeared before them,” said Mr. Duale.

Senator Sang said corruption was fighting back as far as the issue of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital was concerned saying Kenyans know the truth on those behind the scandal.

“It is clear in the minds of Kenyans that the so called upgrade of the hospital was done under the watch of someone who was in ODM during the grand coalition regime. What is happening is that corruption is fighting back,” said Senator Sang.

Mr. Ruto told the county governments to take advantage of the medical kits project the national government has procured for county hospitals saying it would change the face of the healthcare at the grassroots level.

He said the move to have two hospitals in each of the 47 counties of level four and five with intensive care units, cancer diagnosis equipment and treatment; dialysis machines among others would greatly change the lives of the people.

“Leaders should fully support this project and stop politicising it as it would greatly impact on the lives of Kenyans as they would have important medical attention at the county level,” said Mr. Ruto.

Mr. Duale castigated governors who have refused to sign the health contracts deal with the national government for politicising the project and urged them to embrace the scheme, as it would benefit members of the public.

The MPs at the same time vowed to popularize the newly formed Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) in areas under their jurisdictions as their political vehicle to ascend to power come the next general election.

“We are ready to embrace and popularize the new JAP at the grassroots level ahead of the next election. In fact, here in Nandi almost everybody is singing the tune of JAP and the people are becoming used to it,” said Senator Sang.

“Let’s all embrace and popularize our new party, JAP. We have a scheme, strategy and programme that we support President Uhuru for his second term in 2017 and Ruto for the top seat in 2022,” added Duale.

The Deputy President said the new party was aimed at uniting all Kenyans and discourage politics of competition.

“Our aim is to bring everybody on board under one party as one way of uniting the country and eliminate unnecessary competition over political parties,” he said.

Senator Keter warned the Kalenjin leaders against being misused by forces from outside the area to undermine the work of the Deputy President for their selfish gains.

“As community, we should not be misused by outsiders to undermine our brother who is just a stone throw away from the top seat. Those using us to divide our community will laugh at us after they achieve their selfish gains,” said Mr. Keter.