Women Members of Parliament are now urging President William Ruto to dismiss Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha amid the challenges facing the health sector.
Expressing their concerns on Tuesday, over 10 female leaders lamented the suspension of the Linda Mama program by the Ministry of Health for the past month. They accused the CS of neglecting pregnant mothers who are suffering due to the ongoing doctor’s strike.
Led by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, and Kilifi Woman Rep Gertrude Mbeyu, they demanded the immediate removal of Nakhumicha, stating that she has failed to provide solutions to the issues within her docket. Mbeyu emphasized that mothers who rely on the Linda Mama program, especially those struggling financially, have been left in a vulnerable position. She added that any fatalities among children or mothers since the suspension of the Linda Mama card should be attributed to the CS.
Wamuchomba highlighted another concern, stating that NHIF cards are also dysfunctional in anticipation of the upcoming rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in July. This, she argued, further exacerbates the challenges faced by Kenyans amid the ongoing 33-day doctor’s strike.