The Council of Governors (CoG) has dismissed reports by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) alleging that 136 babies have died in Kiambu County, terming the claims false and politically motivated.
In a statement on Monday, the Council said it had noted with great concern the false publication by the doctors’ union regarding the state of healthcare services in the county.
“The Council disassociates itself from the headline about the death of 136 babies and categorically states that it is not factual but pure witch-hunt,” the statement read.
The governors maintained that the health sector in Kiambu is fully functional, with doctors and other medical staff actively serving in all county facilities.
They accused KMPDU and the Ministry of Health of politicizing the health sector and undermining devolution.
“We urge the Ministry of Health and KMPDU to stop politicizing health and leave the level of government with the mandate to run it,” the CoG said.
The statement emphasized that health is a devolved function, and counties should be allowed to manage it without interference from national agencies or external forces seeking to “paint a bad picture of devolution.”
“We want to reiterate that health is a devolved function and must be free of external forces that want to paint a bad picture of devolution and the efforts made thus far,” the Council added.
The CoG defended the progress made under devolution, saying counties have worked to improve service delivery despite challenges.
It also urged stakeholders to engage constructively rather than spread alarm through unverified reports.
The County Government of Kiambu on Friday also dismissed the reports as “false” and “sensationalised.”
The County Executive’s Department of Health Services clarified that the alleged crisis is being exaggerated, largely because of an ongoing industrial action by some doctors.
“These claims are false and aimed at creating a crisis that is nonexistent in the health sector in Kiambu,” the statement reads.
The county government said that services in all its health facilities have remained uninterrupted despite a few doctors choosing to boycott work.
''Replacement staff were immediately hired to ensure continuity of care.'
“Suggesting that neonatal deaths have increased as a result of the industrial action is both misleading and untrue,” the statement added.
According to the statement, hospital data is available from both the facilities themselves and the Ministry of Health.