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A probe led by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chair and Ngara Ward Representative Chege Mwaura has uncovered significant setbacks in crucial projects at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital due to delays and funding gaps. Following a site visit, Mwaura announced the PAC’s agreement with the Auditor General’s assessment, revealing that key developments like a canteen and a 400-bed hospital expansion are “way lower than 40%” complete despite allocated funds having been partly disbursed.
Mwaura voiced particular alarm over the sluggish transfer of the hospital expansion project from the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to the county government. He urged Governor Sakaja’s administration to accelerate this transition, stressing the urgent need for more beds given the hospital’s heavy patient load.
The canteen project, initiated in 2023 under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, also faced criticism, with the PAC chair suggesting the contractor is “letting this facility down” with their slow progress.
Despite these concerns, the PAC acknowledged the hospital’s efforts to provide care despite receiving “zero funding from the county” and relying solely on its own revenue. To address this, the committee plans to recommend exploring semi-autonomy or a tailored Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) for several Nairobi hospitals, including Mama Lucy, Bagadi, Mama Margaret, and Mutwini, to improve their financial management and ability to serve the city’s healthcare needs. Documents show that roughly a third of the 300-400 million shillings earmarked for the projects has been paid out, but the actual contracts remain unavailable, with Mwaura directing inquiries about them to City Hall.
The PAC’s objective goes beyond identifying problems; it aims to find solutions that benefit both patients and taxpayers. Their forthcoming report will not only detail the flagged issues but also propose ways to strengthen the hospital’s overall management. Mwaura pointed to the efficient utilization of the hospital’s existing CT scan as evidence of its potential with adequate resources.
Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital CEO Dr. Martin Wafula welcomed the PAC’s visit, stating the institution is “improving every day” in its service to Kenyans. He highlighted their efforts to maintain services during the ongoing doctors’ strike by hiring locum doctors.
Dr. Wafula also addressed the worrying increase in cholera cases, with 48 reported and five confirmed at the facility, leading to the establishment of a dedicated 20-bed treatment unit and ambulance. He urged Nairobi residents to prioritize hygiene through handwashing and consuming clean or boiled water.
The CEO further emphasized the strain on the hospital’s resources, noting the 45-body capacity morgue serves over 2.9 million people. He expressed hope that the finalized 400-bed expansion plans, including a cardiac catheterization lab and a potential increase from six to 18 operating theaters, will receive the necessary funding to alleviate congestion and enhance services, including open-heart surgeries.
The Public Accounts Committee’s upcoming report is anticipated to clarify the stalled projects and recommend concrete actions to improve healthcare delivery at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and potentially other key Nairobi facilities. The focus will be on ensuring the completion of vital infrastructure and establishing sustainable funding models to meet the city’s growing healthcare demands.