Members of the Kiambu County Assembly (MCAs) have issued a stern warning to Governor Kimani Wamatangi, threatening to initiate impeachment proceedings over his handling of the county’s escalating health crisis.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 14, several MCAs accused the governor of failing to address a months-long strike by health workers, which has severely disrupted service delivery in public hospitals across the county.
The ward representatives faulted Wamatangi for allegedly engaging in a blame game rather than seeking dialogue with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to resolve the impasse.
“I would like to tell the people of Kiambu that some of the MCAs and other leaders are going to stand by you in this matter of impeachment,” stated nominated MCA Susan Njeri.
She further condemned the governor for downplaying reports of rising infant deaths during the health workers’ strike. “If someone can stand on an altar and dispute the figures of babies who have passed away in the past few months across Kiambu, then that is someone who does not deserve to hold a leadership position. He deserves to go home like yesterday,” Njeri asserted.
Governor Wamatangi, however, dismissed the allegations, claiming that reports of 136 infant deaths were fabricated by KMPDU to discredit his administration. He maintained that the crisis had been politicized by his rivals to tarnish his record.
Kiambu County Chief Officer for Health, Patrick Nyagah, also assured residents that hospitals remained operational despite the industrial action.
The health crisis has drawn national attention, with some Members of Parliament calling for the transfer of Kiambu’s health services to the national government. Lobby groups have also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the county government to resolve the matter or face a petition for the county’s dissolution.
If the impeachment motion proceeds, it would mark the second attempt by Kiambu MCAs to oust Governor Wamatangi since he took office.
