Women Members of Parliament are now calling for the dismissal of Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha due to current healthcare problems.
The legislators are particularly irritated by the discontinuation of the Linda Mama programme, which assisted in the payment of delivery fees, particularly for women from low-income families.
According to the women MPs, the discontinuation has caused significant disruption, with mortality rates expected to rise, especially as the doctors’ strike continues, as well as issues with 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 and 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 terser 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 mother’s 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 expressed concern that many women are dying as a result of a lack of medical care, particularly since the Linda Mama programme, which was launched by former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, was suspended.
According to the health ministry, the programme was halted in order to make way for a new health fund that will replace the 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.”
