By ALLY JAMAH
KENYA: Cabinet Secretary nominee for Education Jacob Kaimenyi has dismissed allegations of mishandling a complaint on alleged medical negligence filed against a doctor.
The accusations were made by Mr Anthony Mwangi, who accused Prof Kaimenyi of being insensitive, arrogant and unjust in handling an alleged case of medical negligence in which one of his (Mwangi’s) relatives died after being treated in a hospital in Nyeri. The case was reported to the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board in which Kaimenyi was sitting in.
He said Mwangi’s complaint was handled by the Preliminary Inquiry Committee of the board and the board subsequently upheld the decision of the committee.
“The decision taken by PIC was not the individual decision of the chairman but a collective decision. I cannot be taken to court because I chaired the committee,” he said. He, however, insisted PIC did the right thing in taking the decision, adding Mwangi had the chance of appealing against the decision in court.
“I have served in the Medical Board for two terms and no one has ever complained against me. This is the first time I am facing an accusation,” he said.
Expressed doubts
He said Mwangi was given adequate opportunity to present his case. He referred the committee members to the minutes of the meetings of PIC meetings.
The nominee was also hard-pressed to explain how the promise by the Jubilee government to deliver laptops to Class One pupils would be delivered.
Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo claimed the project was a campaign gimmick that may see the country lose billions of shillings. Other members had expressed doubts on the feasibility of the project.
Kaimenyi insisted it was possible to deliver on the promise if the right strategies are put in place. He, however, admitted serious challenges face the project including shortage of teachers with skills in Information Technology.
Asked if he would have made a better Cabinet Secretary for Health since he is a trained dentist, Kaimenyi said he is more of an educator than a doctor having spent many years in academia.
“I have eaten, lived and slept education for many years and I feel more suitable in the education than the health sector,” he said.
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