On Sunday Newly elected Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja visited Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital without warning.
At the entrance, Sakaja was informed that most medical personnel were not on duty. A new mother had just given birth, but because of the poor bed capacity, she was made to sit on the waiting benches.
For how long until a bed was available, no one knew.
Immediately, Sakaja intervened and instructed the few nurses on duty to attend to her. The governor said his administration will take blame for the sorry state of the facility.
After 5 years as Nairobi Senator with county oversight as one of his key mandates, Sakaja suddenly discovers that there is a hospital called Mama Lucy under county government. What a brilliant guy!
— Kenya is effed up! (@SerenadeOptimas) September 12, 2022
Inside one of the maternity wards; congestion. Mothers sharing beds with other mothers and their children.
Sakaja vowed to increase the bed capacity of facilities across the city to decongest hospitals.
“Mothers should not be sharing beds, patients not being attended to on time, drugs not being available. I apologise on behalf of the previous administration as well as the NMS for the state of things. We will take better care of you. I will not rest until we achieve this,” the governor assured,” said the governor.
This statement and the visit prompted armchair analysts from social media to get on the offensive.
Most accused Sakaja of playing PR, yet he was Nairobi Senator for the last 5 years and did nothing.
What did he do as senator for Nairobi if he didn't even know the state of city hospitals?? Ama kazi ilikuwa ni ulevi na kutishia police huko Ladies Lounge tu
— YANO (@_Yanoh) September 11, 2022
I thought he was a senator in Nairobi, ama he couldn't uncover akiwa senator ile ujinga iko kenya ?♀️
— Mr.K (@DavidKamau001) September 11, 2022
Wasn't he a senator who was supposed to do oversight? He failed as a senator. Got rewarded with Governor's seat.
— Karani Mutonga (@Karanimutonga) September 12, 2022
While visiting one of the drug stores. Sakaja said he was saddened by the fact that all entries for stock are done manually.
The lack of medication was evident. But things will have to change soon, he said.
Sunday was also a lucky day for patients who had been held hostage for non-payment of services. Sakaja ordered their release, promising to pay their bills.
Earlier during a church service, Governor Sakaja assured city residents of commitment to service delivery, saying all functions that were transferred to General Mohamed Badi-led Nairobi Metropolitan Services will be returned to the county government.
He further promised to have an open-door policy for all MCAs to ensure that their needs and those of the people they represent remain his administration’s priority.
