Opposition leaders have accused the government of taking the health sector crisis for granted while Kenyans die. According to ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi and ODM leader Raila Odinga, corruption by the Jubilee regime was responsible for the current health crisis, as patients suffer as a result of the nationwide medics’ strike.
“Jubilee is in the habit of lying and then dishonouring legal agreements. They entered a CBA with medical professionals which they don’t want to honour while Kenyans in need of medical attention suffer,” said Mudavadi.
He said the suffering professionals go through in the country at the hands of Jubilee provided more reason for them to support NASA.
“You need trustworthy and honest leadership to provide an environment to prosper. A government that shreds agreements meant to save lives of Kenyans before the ink dries on them is not worth being in power. Jubilee can auction the country and walk away with a shrug the way they are ferrying sacks full of looted public money.” he said.
The leaders attacked Jubilee over corruption and asked the government to bear its burden instead of pointing fingers at the opposition.
“Corruption is not endemic. Corruption is now a Jubilee public policy. It is permissible to steal as much as possible. That is why Kenyans must know the country is bankrupt and another five years of Jubilee in power will be pure anarchy,” said Mudavadi.
Mudavadi and Raila said corruption in the Ministry of Health, which was denied by the Jubilee government, is directly related to the government’s inability to honour wage agreements with doctors and nurses.
Raila wondered why the president Uhuru Kenyatta and DP Ruto were traversing the country with funds and donations yet health workers have been neglected.
The two leaders were addressing the press at Aberdare Country Club after a night of talks on opposition unity before heading to Gathwana, the Tharaka Nithi County headquarters and Mirimanti for public rallies. The leaders said Jubilee has been using “phoney” figures to hoodwink Kenyans that the economy is growing when investors are running away, businesses are closing and Kenyans are losing jobs.
“Where is the economic miracle of a digital leadership focused only on using technology like IFMIS to steal from Kenyans?” posed Raila while Mudavadi said government borrowing sunk the country into bankruptcy.
“You borrow prudently to invest, create jobs and put money into people’s pockets. But Jubilee has borrowed over Kshs 3 trillion with the aim to steal and then borrow again. International lenders are running away forcing the government to borrow locally like an invading army. This is the reason interests rates haven’t dropped despite a legal cap and inflation has skyrocketed. Kenyans can’t afford to put basic food on the table anymore,” said Mudavadi.
According to Mudavadi and Raila Odinga, they are looking to establish a common ground to ensure unity prevails and all who want to join NASA have the opportunity to do so.
“What we are doing is a process. It is not like instant coffee. We will avail our structures in line with the IEBC electoral guidelines. There is no need to cause panic least we jump the gun,” said Mudavadi when asked about the NASA leadership structure.