Senator Tabitha Mutinda, a Member of the Senate Committee on Health. The Committee visited Makueni County Referral Hospital and Mukuyuni Level 4 hospital today for a fact finding Mission as Part of their Oversight role. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva
A Senate team visiting Makueni County has raised concerns over deteriorating conditions at the Makueni County Referral Hospital and Mukuyuni Level 4 Hospital, citing drug shortages, poor waste disposal, inadequate staffing, and hygiene lapses.
Led by Senator Tabitha Mutinda, a Member of the Committee, the team toured several facilities to assess service delivery and infrastructure as part of their oversight mandate.
Mutinda commended the hospitals for maintaining order in wards, noting that “at least it is one patient per bed unlike in other hospitals where patients share beds.” She, however, faulted the state of waste management, describing it as “pathetic” and urging the county to invest in a functional incinerator to prevent health risks.
The senator also lamented the shortage of essential drugs, attributing it to irregular supplies from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), which has forced hospitals to rely on local suppliers with “difficult terms and conditions.”
“There is also a serious shortage of personnel,” Mutinda added. “Nurses are overstretched and asking for more manpower to effectively deliver services.”
At Mukuyuni Hospital, Mutinda expressed disappointment over absenteeism among clinical officers, noting that some had allegedly prioritized private practice over their official duties. She further called for the repair of broken-down equipment, including the CT scan machine, to ensure uninterrupted services.
Senator Richard Onyonga of Kisii echoed similar concerns, describing the state of waste disposal as “a complete embarrassment.”
“The rubbish you are burning there and all those toxins are unacceptable. If you can’t fix an incinerator, I don’t know how you can fix a CT scan,” Onyonga remarked.
He also decried untidy conditions in some wards, saying, “The bed sheets are not looking clean — either you are minimizing on soap or using the wrong detergents.” The senator urged the hospital’s young medical staff to take greater responsibility and prove their competence.
From Bungoma, Senator Wafula Wakoli called for the immediate resolution of pending salaries for Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and better human resource practices. He emphasized the need to improve communication between medical staff and patients, revealing that some elderly patients had lodged complaints about poor reception.
“The public relations aspect in our hospitals must improve,” said Wakoli. “We are not here to crucify anyone, but to ensure devolution delivers better health services for our people.”
Responding to the concerns, Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua acknowledged the challenges but highlighted the county’s significant progress since devolution.
“We have expanded from 110 health facilities before devolution to over 200 today,” Mutua said, citing the introduction of specialist services such as oncology, renal, and fistula treatment.
She attributed some of the challenges to delayed payments from the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the defunct NHIF, saying the county is owed KSh 375 million in unpaid claims.
“These pending bills have greatly constrained our ability to deliver services,” Mutua explained. “However, we remain committed to improving staffing levels, enhancing staff motivation, and ensuring quality healthcare for all residents.”
The Senate Health Committee is expected to compile a comprehensive report and engage the county leadership to address the highlighted gaps in service delivery.
