By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
A section of Kenya Kwanza legislators has jumped to the defence of embattled Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Wafula.
This comes after calls for her sacking intensified over the current doctors’ and clinical officers’ strikes.
The strike has negatively impacted access to health services in public hospitals across the country
On Wednesday, Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino issued a notice to file a motion that seeks to impeach CS Wafula.
However, Gideo Kimaiyo, a UDA legislator has dismissed the motion.
In a post on his verified X handle, Kimaiyo said the motion was dead on arrival.
The youthful MP went further to advise the CS to focus on executing her mandate, and not be distracted by the said motion.
“CS Susan Nakhumicha is clear, the impeachment motion against her is dead on arrival. She should focus on her job and not be distracted,” the MP said.
In his letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Babu Owino listed two issues against the Health CS – gross violation of the constitution and incompetence.
The ODM legislator claimed at least 111 MPs had already appended their signatures in support of the impeachment motion.
“As a result of the doctors’ strike, a majority of Kenyans’ right to life as well as the right to the highest attainable standard of health has been grossly violated,” the MP said in part of the notice of motion.
Doctors are on strike for a second week now, while clinical officers’ strike is on the fifth day.
The strike is related to the failure of the government to implement the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement in relation to the deployment of medical interns among others.
On Tuesday night, the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said over Ksh2.4 billion had been secured to facilitate the deployment of interns on terms stipulated by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Doctors have however rejected the offer, insisting medical interns’ deployment must be as per the 2017 CBA that provides that they will be paid over Ksh200,000 in salaries and allowances monthly.