Omtatah and Otuoma clash over Busia health woes

Senators have termed as unreliable and misleading an audit report on the state of healthcare facilities in Busia County.

The Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee noted a credible difference between the report’s findings and the actual situation on the ground.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah highlighted major flaws in the Auditor-General’s report, arguing that it fails to address the dire condition of health facilities in the county. He warned that many of these facilities have become death traps, particularly for pregnant women.

“This report looks like it is not on Busia. People are dying of things they should not, and the report does not expose what is going on. The health situation in Busia is terrible,” he said.

The Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi-led committee was reviewing the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending June 2024.

In the report, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu highlighted concerns over a Sh5.1 million transfer to various dispensaries, which lacked the necessary supporting documents.

It also revealed a funding shortfall of Sh21.5 million and significant underperformance, with only 51 percent of the allocated budget being utilized.

Omtatah pointed out that maternal deaths during childbirth had become a common occurrence in Busia due to the poor state of healthcare facilities.

“This is why we ended up with a misleading report that does not reflect the reality on the ground. I urge this committee to visit Busia and see for themselves,” he said.

He further alleged a deliberate attempt to keep him uninformed about Governor Paul Otuoma’s scheduled appearance before the committee, suggesting a possible cover-up.

In response to the mounting criticism, Governor Paul Otuoma defended his administration, stating that the challenges facing Busia’s healthcare system were not unique to the county but part of a broader national issue.

“The delivery of healthcare services is a countrywide challenge. Blaming each other will not solve the problem. We must work together with the Senate to ensure effective healthcare services,” Otuoma said.

Earlier in January, frustrated Busia residents staged protests over the deteriorating state of public health facilities.