Cruel scalpel as the sick man’s money fuels health crisis

From left Director of Medical Services Dr. Jackson Kioko, PS. Nicholas Muraguri, Council of Governors Health Committee Chairman Jack Ranguma, Health CS Dr. Cleopa Mailu and Council of Governors Human Resource Committee Chairman James Ongwae address the media at Afya House, Nairobi on Monday 05/12/16 Over doctors strike. [PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO/Standard]

For four years, I have been blogging about the politics of healthcare and nationhood. I have been arguing that Kenya needs universal healthcare, but more than that, that politicians need to be obligated by law to seek treatment in public hospitals for themselves and their immediate families.

As I share these ideas on social media, my greatest surprise has been the hostility from some ordinary Kenyans, many of whom, I’m sure, would not afford life-saving treatment without a harambee. So I was beginning to accept that I was an odd Kenyan who actually believes that our lives matter enough for us to have a government that provides quality healthcare for all, not just for politicians whose bills in hospitals abroad are paid by the taxpayer.