Matatu Association: Keep politics out of War Memorial Hospital deaths

Nakuru,

Thursday, January 25, 2024

KNA by Jane Ngugi and Dennis Rasto 

Central Rift Matatu Owners Association (CRMOA) has appealed to leaders to steer clear of politics during the burial arrangements for its Governing Council Member Mr David Kimani Ngugi.

 The Association’s spokesman Mr Stephen Muli expressed regret that a section of high-ranking elected leaders from Nakuru County were showing disrespect for the deceased and insensitivity to the grieving family by making statements calculated to gain them political mileage.

 Mr Ngugi died on January 22, aged 68, after he was admitted to the War Memorial Hospital in Nakuru.

 Mr Muli dismissed claims that Mr Ngugi lost his life due to a disruption of medication after the county government launched a second bid to take over the running of the hospital.

 The County’s actions came hours after the hospital’s directors, who had been charged with 12 counts of fraudulently obtaining the lease extension of the 25-acre land that the facility sits on, were released on bail.

  Following their arrest on Friday, the County Government had moved to secure the hospital by deploying county askaris and police to man the facility.

In an apparent reference to Nakuru Senator Ms Tabitha Karanja, the CRMOA spokesman stated that it was unacceptable for a leader to use the ‘unfortunate’ death to attack others as this went against cultural and religious beliefs that Africans hold dear.

Ms Karanja has vowed to petition the Senate on the matter, accusing the county executive of being inhuman in its decision to take over the facility.

The Senator has threatened to push for the impeachment of Governor Susan Kihika over what she says is mismanagement of the health sector stemming from the fallout over the War Memorial Hospital takeover.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, Ms Karanja termed the governor ‘incompetent and inhuman’ for allegedly sabotaging health operations which have led to the loss of lives in the hospital while in contempt of a court order.

She said that Governor Kihika ordered county officers to raid the facility thereby leading to a disruption in operations that hampered medical care as a result of which patients died.

However, Mr Muli called on leaders to shun divisive statements and maintain peace during the burial arrangements of CRMOA Governing Council Member and not say words that will hurt the deceased’s family.

The spokesman said the time for politics has elapsed and added that people should focus on development.

 “Condoling with the bereaved family is the least of some of these leaders’ concerns. They are now jostling to sell their political wares and attack opponents, real or imagined,” noted Mr Muli.

CRMOA Vice Chairman Mr. Francis Njoroge Njogu said this was one of the many incidents that demonstrate how low some leaders are ready to sink.

Mr Njogu indicated that this was a sombre occasion from which politics must be divorced.

“This is the last chance that Ngugi will have with his relatives, and must be kept solemn as the occasion demands. However, in their mindless pursuit of personal aggrandizement, some elected and aspiring leaders have chosen to turn the unfortunate turn of events into a podium for posturing,” added the Vice Chairman.

He observed that at a time when the deceased's next of kin are mourning and consoling each other the last thing they want to hear is politics.

 “It is therefore uncouth for politicians to forcefully bring in their agenda, plainly disregarding the tone of the occasion. Indeed, this issue adds pain to the bereaved families since they will perceive that what they are undergoing is not felt,” he said.

Mr Njogu went on “Politicians do not need reminding that the dead must be accorded their last respects. After all, we cannot eat, drink and sleep politics. There is a place and time for everything under the sun."

Courtesy; KNA