A viral photo of former Vihiga Member of Parliament Andrew Ligale waiting for treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) sparked a fierce debate among Kenyans.
Ligale was spotted masked up, dressed in a suit, and sitting on a concrete barrier adjacent to the hospital's parking lot. His hands were tucked in between his legs.
Kenyans flooded the comment section and a debate ensued on moral standing, class, the country's poor saving culture, and life after politics.
The online scaffold began when two factions debated on why he was seeking medical services from a public hospital yet he was a lawmaker for 15 years.
"Save for retirement. This was once a wealthy director of Physical Planning, Ministry of Lands!" read the caption on the originally shared photo.
"Why shame him? There is nothing wrong with him seeking medical services from KNH or being in the queue. Sometimes you think you will figure out life but it has its complexities," another user countered.
However, another argued that he was just seated and might have been in the company of a driver who was not in the photo. Communications guru Benji Ndolo maintained that the former MP did not live a lavish life and remained humble.
A section of Kenyans discouraged the talk arguing that such ridicule further pushed those in power to loot from public coffers. Others, on the other hand, defend KNH arguing that it was one of the best hospitals in the country.
"Public hospitals got facilities that so many private ones don't have," one Kenyan stated.
"KNH has some of the best doctors and facilities accessible to all in the society," another added.
Politician Justina Wamae claimed that MPs should always endeavour to better all sectors in the country not just for Kenyans' sake but their own.
"A cook must consume what they cook. Public institutions should be strengthened so that even those in power can consume the services. We can start with quality public health care and education as we move forward," Wamae remarked.
Nonetheless, Kenyans agreed that there was a need to have money stashed on the side, not just for medical reasons, but for any unprecedented incident
Kenyans.co.ke cannot independently confirm whether the former lawmaker was at KNH seeking medical attention or what his financial status was.
