Women Members of Parliament are calling for the dismissal of Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha due to the ongoing crisis in the health sector.
The parliamentarians are particularly irritated by the termination of the Linda Mama project, which assisted in paying delivery expenses, particularly for women from low-income households.
According to the women MPs, the discontinuance has created significant disruption, with mortality rates expected to grow, particularly while the doctors' strike continues, as well as concerns with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The MPs, led by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and her Suba North counterpart Millie Odhiambo, said that CS Nakhumicha had failed to perform her duties and should resign.
“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.”
The Kilifi Woman Representative, Gertrude Mbeyu, chastised the CS, calling her an embarrassment to women in general. She asked her to give statistics on the number of women affected by the ongoing doctor's strike.
.The women lawmakers expressed concern that many women are dying as a result of a lack of medical treatment, particularly after the Linda Mama project, which former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta launched, was suspended.
This call comes barely a month after Embakasi East MP threatened to file a motion to dismiss the CS.
Babu Owino says that the doctors' strike, which began on March 15th, has destroyed Kenya's healthcare system and deprived hundreds of individuals of their fundamental access to healthcare.
"As a result of the doctors' strike, a majority of Kenyans' right to life as well as the right to the highest attainable standard of health has been grossly violated," part of the petition reads.
"Since the strike began on 15th March 2024, scores of Kenyans have been unable to access medical care, and in some dire cases, some have even lost their lives."
