Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health Susan Nakhumicha has strongly condemned the individuals criticising her over allegations of underperformance within the Ministry.
Addressing attendees during a burial ceremony in Trans Nzoia County on Friday, March 22, Nakumicha asserted that those levelling accusations against her were driven by jealousy towards her accomplishments and contributions to the Ministry.
“I have worked so hard for the Health Sector and people are getting jealous and bringing about chaos,” she stated.
Furthermore, the CS accused individuals implicated in the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) scandals of sponsoring the attacks against her.
“I want to assure you now that people have noticed how I’m planning my work and those thieves from KEMSA and NHIF are sponsoring these things.”
According to the Ministry head, her efforts to advocate for the lowering of NHIF deductions from Ksh500 to Ksh300 were the main cause for recent attacks launched towards her.
“When I said we reduce the NHIF from Ksh500 to Ksh300, they said I was wrong. When I said those without money to get funded by the government, they said I’m wrong,” she stated.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Trans Nzoia Governor Natembeya were also in attendance at the function, before the police lobbed teargas to disperse a group of rowdy youths.
Governor Natembeya condemning the chaos that erupted at the burial, faulted the Speaker for failing to notify him of his attendance, as it is protocol.
“The speaker should have paid us a courtesy call and told us he was coming. That is protocol. I got to the venue of the burial and tried to come the youth down and all of a sudden tear gas was sent our way,” Natembeya explained.
Nakhumicha has in the past days received major criticism from Kenyans, amid the countrywide doctor's strike.
The doctors' strike, now entering the second week, has condemned the health sector, airing discontent on the capability of the current CS as chants of "Nakhumicha must go! filled the air outside the Afya House building on Friday.
The doctors want their issues addressed. Some of the issues include poor treatment for intern doctors, adequate provision of medical coverage, and improved working conditions for health workers.
