Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has publicly challenged Governor Susan Kihika’s assertions regarding hospital debt, shifting the focus toward internal financial management and the usage of public funds.
Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has publicly rejected claims by Governor Susan Kihika that the current crisis at Naivasha Level IV Hospital is caused by unpaid debts from the Social Health Authority.. According to the senator, the facility failed to provide the required documentation necessary to process those payments, effectively stalling the process from within.
Misryoum reports that the conflict centers on the transparency of county health funding.. Karanja argues that the administration has consistently diverted funds that should have been reinvested into diagnostic equipment and infrastructure, pointing to auditor general reports showing billions collected from hospitals that never made it back to the facilities.
This dispute highlights a broader struggle over public accountability and the effective management of health resources in the region.
Senator Karanja specifically took issue with the governor’s recent public demonstrations of wealth, accusing the county executive of prioritizing cash handouts during political events over the basic needs of public hospitals.. She asserted that the county has collected over Sh100 billion, a figure she believes should be more than sufficient to overhaul the failing service delivery if managed with integrity.
Beyond the financial disagreements, the senator expressed deep concern regarding the physical safety of residents during these political gatherings.. Following reports of injuries sustained by locals scrambling for cash, she warned that such practices are regressive and exploit the economic vulnerability of the youth and people living with disabilities.
Meanwhile, the situation in the flood-prone Kihoto estate remains a point of contention.. Karanja urged the national government to finalize the identification of legitimate landowners and initiate compensation to allow for a permanent relocation, noting that the ongoing sanitary crisis makes the area increasingly dangerous for residents.
One harrowing account underscores the human cost of these political events.. Fatuma Galgalo, a resident who suffered broken legs during a stampede at a recent event, now finds herself unable to support her young children, illustrating the immediate consequences of the governor’s approach to public engagement.
The senator concluded by demanding that investigative agencies look into the administration’s expenditure, insisting that public resources must be used to create sustainable economic programs rather than temporary, risky handouts.
Ultimately, this rift serves as a stark reminder that regional stability depends on transparent governance and the prioritization of essential infrastructure over political theatrics.