Governors sign Sh38b controversial medical deal amid calls for details

FROM LEFT: Marsabit Governor Ukur Yatani, CoG Chair Peter Munya and Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony in Nairobi yesterday. They announced that governors were at liberty to sign the MOU with the Government in relation to the medical machines for counties. [photo: Mbugua Kibera/Standard]

Governors are demanding details of the controversial Sh38 bilion medical scheme by the Government, even as they agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understand (MoU) on the deal.

The county chiefs were quick to explain their position, stating that by agreeing to sign the document, which they argue is not legal, they were yielding ground to the deal.

In what appeared to be a hasty retreat, Council of Governors (CoG) Chairman Peter Munya (Meru) flanked by council whip Ukur Yattani (Marsabit) and Paul Chepkwony (Kericho) announced yesterday that after a wide consultation with colleagues, they resolved that county governments were at liberty to sign the document.

They termed their decision as a gesture of good will to provide for enabling atmosphere to discuss the details of the scheme.

“Governors are at liberty to sign the MoU with the Ministry of Health. We hope this will create a good atmosphere for the two levels of government to resolve this impasse,” said Munya at a press conference at Delta House in Nairobi.

He continued: “There are serious fundamental issues that border on the legality of the whole process, taking into account Health is a full devolved function. These underlying issues must be resolved before the scheme can be implemented in counties.”

The Meru Governor explained that they do not want to be used as ‘scapegoat’ if the Government’s world-class project fails. “We need to see the parent agreement to know what we are getting into. This scheme has financial implications to counties contrary to Government’s arguments that it has none,” said Munya.

He added: “It is not clear who will maintain the machines and pay personnel. There are so many questions to be discussed and clarified by the Government. Some counties already have these machines, others have no infrastructure while others have no electricity.”

Munya explained that the MoU is a preliminary agreement that will lay the ground for serious negotiations between counties and the Government, adding that if the Government wants a binding agreement, it should apply Article 187 of the Constitution, which specifies the transfer of functions and powers between levels of government.

“We are still ready and open to discussions on this matter. Our decision to cede ground for the benefit of Kenyans in signing of the MoU should be the starting point in addressing this deadlock. We have dragged on for far too long, yet Kenyans require better medicare,” argued Munya, adding: “If the Government is honest and genuine on this matter, let’s take the talks further and move on with the programme without any secrecy. We are not opposed to the scheme but what we do not understand is why counties were not involved in the entire procurement process yet we understand our needs best.”