Embu leaders defend Health CS over KNH CEO suspension

Political leaders from Embu have criticised sections of politicians from Rift Valley who called for the resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki over the suspension of Kenyatta National Hospital head Lily Koros.

Koros was sent on compulsory leave on Friday following a horror patient mix up that saw the wrong patient undergo a head surgery at the hospital.

“I have directed the board that the CEO of this organisation, with the colleague responsible for clinical matters of this hospital, are sent on compulsory leave forthwith and in their place two experts will be taking over to run this institution for the period the investigations will be done and a decision reached,” CS Kariuki had said.

Speaking in Kianjokoma, Manyatta Sub-County during a thanksgiving service for Gaturi MCA Paul Muchangi, the Embu leaders led by Senator Njeru Ndwiga said it was hypocritical for the Rift Valley leaders to purport to defend perceived short falls on the part of Mrs Koros while failing to appreciate the problems facing the institution.

Mr. Ndwiga lashed out at leaders defending those who run down public institutions simply because they come from the same region.

On his part, Ngandori MCA Muturi Mwombo said the crisis in Kenya’s largest referral hospital has been in the public domain and action had to be taken. He further stated that the Health CS was within her mandate to act and the law should be followed.

Mbeti North MCA Peter Nyaga pointed at recent problems that have put KNH on the spot.

“From child trafficking, rape of nursing mothers and now wrong surgery, somebody had to take responsibility,” he said.