GOVERNOR BARASA PUTS DRUGS CARTELS ON NOTICE

Kakamega Governor H.E FCPA Fernandes Barasa has issued a stern warning to Government officers conspiring with rogue individuals to sell drugs and non-pharms meant to benefit members of the public in public health facilities.

The Governor was speaking at Eshisiru in Lurambi Sub-County during a Public Consultation Forum where he revealed that drugs meant for Dispensaries and Level lV Health facilities were finding their way through the back door to private hospitals and chemists, a practice he said, is denying residents of Kakamega County access to health services.

“I have noted with concern that patients are being referred to private facilities to purchase drugs which is against the norm; very soon am going to crack the whip on the culprits involved,” the Governor asserted.

The Governor who braced the heavy downpour to listen and react to the residents also ordered for an audit of the County Youth and Women Empowerment Programme recruitment exercise, popularly known as “Kazi Mashinani” that is currently underway saying the final shortlist has been infiltrated with non-residents in some of the Wards, with other shortlisted candidates not being Kakamega County residents. He explained that the Programme is an initiative meant strictly for Kakamega County residents and asked previous beneficiaries to allow other residents to also benefit during this year’s allocation.

Further, the Governor directed Ward Administrators to ensure only the needy and deserving learners receive the County Bursary funds saying his administration has doubled the allocation from Ksh 2 Million last Financial Year to Kshs 4 Million this Year.

Deputy Governor H.E Ayub Savula on his part called on elected leaders to focus on their mandate and allow their counterparts at various leadership levels to discharge their duties to the electorate without interference.

The event was also attended by Lurambi MP Hon. Titus Khamala, CECMs, MCAs’, County Secretary and Head of Public Service Mr Lawrence Omuhaka, Chief Officers and other Senior Government officers.