Embu Assembly Commences Investigations into Medical Negligence

Muminji Ward Representative Newton Kariuki who brought the matter to the attention of the County Legislature upon resumption from long recess alleged that Clinical Officers and other medical practitioners had left the hospital unmanned and gone on a drinking binge following a power outage.

Kariuki said it was disheartening that a hospital with a large catchment area had no functional standby backup to supply electricity during blackouts, adding that preliminary investigations indicated that the available power generator was faulty and had no fuel. Further, he disclosed that a brand-new ambulance attached to the hospital had worn-out tyres and had no insurance, yet the County Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriations had allocated enough funds for operation and maintenance of ambulances across the county.

An incensed Ruguru-Ngandori MCA Muturi Mwombo called for the resignation of the Health County Executive Committee Member Jamal Runyenje and Chief Officer Medical Medical Services Benjamin Kisilu ostensibly for superintending over medical negligence and making rash, “cosmetic quick fix” decisions.

Kiambere MCA Lenny Masters blamed his Mwea counterpart Job Itumo who chairs the Health Committee for rubbishing the matter whenever it is raised for his attention. Masters stated that two mothers from his ward had suffered under negligent medics and called for immediate intervention.

Other MCAs who vented on the matter called for rotation of committee membership to eliminate redundancy and laxity. They blamed the Health Committee for overstaying in office to the extent of getting too cozy with the County Executive and consequently being unable to conduct proper oversight.

Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh (Kirimari), while presiding over the inaugural plenary sitting for the year 2025 conceded that the matter was quite grave and bore the potential to turn emotive and directed that the Health Committee commence investigations and report back to the Assembly with concrete recommendations.