Women MPs want CS Nakhumicha fired over health sector mess

Women Members of Parliament are now demanding the sacking of Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha over problems presently ailing the health sector.

The legislators are particularly irked by the discontinuation of the Linda Mama programme that was helping in the payment of delivery fees especially for women from humble backgrounds.

According to the women MPs, the discontinuation has caused major strife with mortality rates now likely to rise, especially as the doctors’ strike persists, coupled with issues facing the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Led by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and her Suba North counterpart Millie Odhiambo, the MPs said CS Nakhumicha has failed in her duties hence should vacate office.

“You are embarrassing us, as fellow women. You’re putting us in a fix, we want to protect you but you can’t be the one sabotaging fellow women. You can’t expect women to hold on, we can’t tuck in babies in our stomachs waiting for July,” charged Millie Odhiambo.

“Before you put us in an awkward situation where we have to confront you, please reconsider you decision.”

Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu was more terse in her statement, calling on the sacking of CS Nakhumicha for “embarrassing women” in her undertakings.

“The embarrassment you have brought to us is enormous, how do we support you with our mothers suffering? I will be the first one to say Nakhumicha must go, we want numbers of how many mothers have been affected since the strike begun,” she said.

She went ahead to pose: “It seems you (Nakhumicha) don’t have any plans, why were you given this job?”

The women legislators lamented that many women are dying due to lack of medical care, especially after the suspension of the Linda Mama programme that was started by former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.

According to the health ministry, the programme was discontinued in preparation for a new health fund that is supposed to take over from NHIF.

“That leaves a serious gap and that gap is what is causing a lot of pain to our mothers, we are wondering should the pregnant women wait until July?” Posed Wamuchomba.

“You can’t tell me to wait for tomorrow when delivery is due as you process a new card for me, its sheer ignorance on the part of our government.”

CS Nakhumicha is likely to face a hostile reception when she appears on the plenary of the House on Wednesday to answer questions on the ongoing health workers strike, with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino already collecting signatures with an intention to table a motion of no confidence.