Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has accused his predecessor Dr Evans Kidero of stealing funds meant for Pumwani Maternity Hospital upgrade.
In an interview with Citizen TV last night, Sonko said that Kidero used the account of murdered lawyer Wachira Mburu to wire Ksh58 million from the county coffers and later retired to his own account. He also refuted claims that Pumwani is understaffed, saying that the facility has 161 nurses working in two shifts. He said that the doctors are to blame for not reporting to work as required.
“The nurses at Pumwani told me that mothers are suffering in the theatres; the surgeons do not report to work, consultants do not report to work. There is no understaffing at Pumwani Hospital. We have 161 nurses at the hospital, who work in two shift,” said Sonko, adding that they are forced to work as doctors, risking the lives of both mothers and their children.
He said that at the time of his impromptu visit the nurses were holed in a crisis meeting contemplating of going on strike.
The governor also attributed Nairobi woes to cartels, whom he promised to dismantle.
“I really value my people and I do not entertain nonsense. Corruption is the main factor hindering development; I will not entertain corruption and cartels in my leadership,” he added.
Sonko also defended his style of leadership of instant firing whenever an employee is found in the wrong, saying there are a lot of jobless graduates who can serve better.
“There is a reason for every suspension that I do. Nairobi has a population of six million and out of this, we have over one million technocrats and graduates who are jobless and can serve me better than the people who are not loyal to me. My own Chief of Staff had to go home because he was implicated on some corruption cases,” he said.
The governor promised that Nairobi will have a Deputy Governor at the right time when he identifies the right person.
“I am waiting for the right person for the position of deputy governor of Nairobi. I nominated Miguna Miguna but his name was rejected! I have nominated four women. The next deputy governor of Nairobi will be a woman,” said Sonko.
Source: Kahawatungu