Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang renewed his rivalry with Governor George Natembeya as he strongly criticised the county government over the alleged continued shortage of essential medicines in public hospitals.
Chesang spoke during a community engagement on Saturday, April 19, where he strongly defended the Social Health Authority while also lashing out at leaders whom he accused of undermining the national government's efforts to achieve Taifa Care.
“Anyone who has been sick and received treatment here knows the truth,” Chesang said. “Let’s not be lied to—the program works.”
The Senator further called out leaders in the country for sustained attacks against SHA, as he reiterated that he would not stay quiet while residents of the county suffered due to a lack of medical supplies.
Chesang observed that while SHA was working in other areas, Trans-Nzoia was lagging behind because of underwhelming efforts from the county government.
During the community engagement, the Senator also treated thousands of residents to an Easter treat as he gifted them foodstuffs, as he doubled up the initiative with an SHA registration drive.
In addition, the Senator vowed to lead SHA registration drives across the county to ensure more residents were beneficiaries of the Taifa Care initiative. Part of his initiative includes a pledge to deploy mobile clinic vehicles to remote areas to distribute medicines and register more county residents.
“If you see me bringing medicine here, it means I know you are suffering,” Chesang added in a subtle dig at the county government.
Chesang's latest move underscores a brewing political rivalry with Governor Natembeya, with the two leaders' rivalry going back months.
Besides accusations of crippling the county's medical sector, Chesang has in the past also accused the county government of mismanaging Ksh800 million allocated for county development.
More recently, Natembeya has come out with sensational claims that his life was in danger primarily because of his criticism of the Kenya Kwanza government.
The governor, who spoke during a seed distribution exercise in Kaplamai ward, Trans Nzoia County, accused the government of allegedly sending goons to attack him during the burial of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati.
