Nyong’o blamed for delayed upgrade

By WAINAINA NDUNG’U

Nyeri County

Special Programmes Minister Esther Murugi is at loggerheads with her Medical Services counterpart Anyang’ Nyong’o over delayed Sh3.5 billion upgrade of Nyeri Provincial General Hospital.

Speaking in Nyeri on Monday, Murugi accused Prof Nyong’o of delaying the project by refusing to sign a commercial agreement with the Chinese government, which is funding the project.

"He thinks I’m trespassing for pushing for this project," said Murugi during a medical camp at Temple Road Primary School. "I am afraid we will have to put off the project until the minister comes back to his senses," she added.

The project at the hospital first built in 1930 would have seen the construction of physical facilities to accommodate more patients and equipment.

The facelift would also upgrade the institution into a teaching hospital for Kimathi University College to offer graduate courses in medicine.

"We also wanted to set up a facility for intensive training of nurses for the international market, a course not offered anywhere in Kenya," said Murugi.

Nyong’o has, however, refuted claims of sabotage, saying Murugi was free to visit him in his office to discuss the matter.

"Everything concerning the hospital can be obtained from my office and the minister is free to get them," said Nyong’o in an interview.

According to Murugi, facilities at the hospital are grossly inadequate with patients sharing beds.

"New equipment even when they are allocated or donated cannot be accommodated," added the minister.

Murugi added the planned hospital will become a referral facility covering patients from Nyeri, Murang’a, Meru, Embu, Isiolo, Laikipia and Nyandarua counties, who can only access similar services in Nairobi.

The project has also faced silent opposition from central Kenya leaders who describe it as demonstration of "selfishness" by President Kibaki’s Nyeri backyard coming against a Sh700 million three phased upgrade of the Othaya District Hospital.