NATION MEDIA GROUP By PHILIP BWAYO More by this Author MPs intend to petition the National Assembly to summon Governor Patrick Khaemba for an alleged irregularity in the purchase of a private hospital. The lawmakers said they had learnt that the building was built at a cost of Sh23 million and could not understand why the county government spent more than Sh180 million on it. Besides, the facility was yet to be equipped, they added. “We want the governor and his team to set the record straight before the Public Accounts Committee by explaining how the cost of the medical facility rose from Sh23 million to Sh180 million,” said Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa. He spoke at Bikeke health centre at the weekend. Mr Wamalwa said the county government erred in prioritising the purchase of the building and overlooked infrastructural development needed at the Kitale District Hospital, among other public institutions in the region. “The Bikeke health centre, for instance, received its last drug consignment in March yet the county government is quick to buy a condemned building to use as a referral hospital,” said the legislator. Separately, Saboti MP David Wafula said it was wrong for the county government to go ahead with the project without seeking the opinion of other elected leaders, thus contravening the constitutional spirit of consultation. “This clearly shows why we need the County Development Board. Let’s embrace the spirit of involving all elected leaders in decision-making,” said Mr Wafula. Woman Representative Janet Nangabo called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to launch investigations into the transaction, saying some influential people could have cashed in on the health needs of the residents. MONETARY VALUE “We want the whole process to be audited to establish whether there was no misappropriation of funds meant for development. I have evidence that the property was not evaluated before it was bought,” she said. She spoke in Kitale. Deputy Speaker David Kapoloman admitted the ward representatives were aware of the deal: “It is true that we endorsed the purchase but no monetary value was brought to the floor. We also don’t know its value.”
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 04:54:09 +0000
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