Deputy President William Ruto has said the Government will not allow governors who are yet to sign the Sh38 billion medical equipment to block Kenyans from accessing affordable medical care.
The DP told the governors to sign the deal, saying counties will not pay for the project sponsored by the national government.
Speaking at Kapsoit Secondary School in Ainamoi constituency in Kericho during the inauguration ceremony of Bishop Edwin Tonui of Full Gospel Church on Sunday, Ruto pointed out that the governors among other State officers enjoy medical scheme worth more than Sh10 million.
"We don't want to be engaged in small political contests and lies that the counties would be forced to pay for the equipment because as the truth of the matter, the counties would not pay even a single cent," said Ruto.
He continued: "What kind of leaders are the governors who want to block ordinary wananchi from accessing affordable medical care? The government thanks those who have signed for the equipment and we will know what to do with those governors who will reject the medical equipment."
Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and his Kericho Counterpart Prof Paul Chepkwoy are among a group of governors who have questioned the equipment deal.
Last week, Chepkwony said he had directed the questions over the lease deal to the Kericho County Assembly and added that his administration would take up the equipment if the assembly approves the deal.
But on Sunday, the governor during the function bowed to pressure from legislators who had accompanied the DP and said he would sign the lease deal soon.
He said he had held consultations with all the 47 members of county assembly and the area's six MPs and they had approved the deal.
Kericho District Hospital expects to receive Sh425 million equipment while Sigowet will get equipment worth Sh380 million.
On ongoing ICC case against Ruto and Joshua Sang, the leaders demanded that the court should drop the case for lack of evidence.
Ruto added that he was aware of the plight of Mau forest settlers and the government has an elaborate resettlement plan.
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