Babu files motion to impeach Nakhumicha

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino wants Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha sacked for alleged incompetence.

In a notice of motion to the clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, the MP is also citing Gross violation of Articles 26 (1) and 43 (1)(a) of the Constitution by the CS, on the right to access healthcare and the right to life.

“Pursuant to article 152 (6) of the Constitution as read with the Standing Order 66, I wish to notify you of my intention to move a Special Motion for removal of the Cabinet Secretary for Health from office,” Owino wrote in the letter titled: Notice of motion for the removal of the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Susan Nakhumicha.

The lawmaker, who joined the striking doctors for a press conference in the city yesterday, claimed that the grounds for removal of the CS are based on her hardline stand in regard to the issues raised by the medics on the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that’s yet to be implemented.

Owino also claimed that his move to call for the dismissal of the CS is based on allegations that a number of Kenyans have died as a result of the ongoing strike, which has also sucked in the clinical officers.

“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,” he said, highlighting poor access to medical care, “and in some dire cases, some have even lost their lives.”

This is the second time the MP is calling for the sacking of Nakhumicha within a week.

Last week after the Cabinet Secretary’s remarks at a burial in Western Kenya, Owino joined a number of Kenyans who took to various social media platforms to criticise her.

Exhibited incompetence

And yesterday, the MP revisited his criticism claiming that the CS had exhibited incompetence in that she failed to honour the CBA between the government and the doctors.

“Instead the CS has taken a hard line stand and is threatening the striking doctors with immediate sacking and replacement.

“I will be moving this motion and seek the resolution of the House to require His Excellency the President to dismiss the CS from Office,” Owino says in his letter.

He claimed he has the necessary evidence in support of the allegations he has made over loss of life due to the ongoing strike.

The strike may prolong if the remarks by the doctors are anything to go by. KMPDU national chairman, Dr Abidan Mwachi insisted yesterday, the strike is still on, and that the doctors will not adhere to the court order.

“We are waiting on the government also to call off their strike,” he told journalists.

The doctors are on record, saying that they have held more than six meetings with the health ministry that have not yielded positive outcomes based on their demands.

“The strike that we are on is a government-fuelled strike because they failed in their obligations and previous commitments of the same issues that we have brought up now,” KMPDU Secretary General, Dr Davji Atellah said last week.

He said the issue of posting medical interns was discussed in 2023 but it recurred, and the government went ahead to deduct their salaries by 91 per cent.

According to him there is a Court judgement compelling the government to honour the CBS, but it has not despite its commitment.

Atellah also said there is a shortage of doctors in the health facilities yet at the same time there is an unemployed workforce, and the government is rolling out the Universal Health Care (UHC) program.

On Tuesday, the doctors dismissed State House deputy Chief of Staff, Josphat Nanok for terming their strike illegal, and insisted they only want to be addressed by Head of the public service, Felix Koskei and Public Service CS, Moses Kuria.