Kirinyaga governor explains move on medic as official faces impeachment

KIRINYAGA: As the health crisis in Kirinyaga County deepens, it is now emerging Governor Joseph Ndathi is the one who sent away the County Director of Public health.

While admitting making the move, Mr Ndathi said Dr Robert Ngunjiri failed to deliver and could not be retained at the county.

"Those who claim Dr Ngunjiri was sacked are wrong since I am the one who sent him back to the National Government where he can be redeployed having failed to deliver as required," Ndathi said.

He said the county will recruit someone else who is committed to serving wanainchi.

Even as Ndathi was taking action against Ngunjiri, the county assembly last week passed an impeachment motion against the County Executive in charge of the Public Health Joyce Muriithi for her alleged incompetence.

The impeachment motion tabled by Nyangati Ward MCA Samuel Maina was supported by 26 out of the 27 members present.

A nine-member committee appointed to probe Ms Muriithi is expected to table its report to the assembly on September 3.

Kirinyaga Pastors Forum has too voiced its concern over the poor state of affairs in health sector.

Through their chairman Bishop Daniel Njagi, the pastors claimed most of the health facilities were no longer delivering even the most basic service to the residents.

"Those seeking for laboratory services are being referred to a nearby private facility whose charges are exorbitant," Njagi claimed.

The Standard has established that the hospital lack basic equipment like oxygen gas and laboratory reagents.

Medics who talked to The Standard on condition of anonymity said more than 40 oxygen cylinders were laying empty at the Kerugoya District Hospital.