By Ongaga Ongaga
Nyamira County has moved swiftly to counter remarks made in the Senate by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who claimed that the county’s healthcare system had collapsed.
Duale’s statement, which was widely carried in parliamentary coverage and amplified by national media, suggested that Nyamira had failed to secure dialysis and CT Scan machines under the National Equipment Services Programme, leaving its hospitals unable to provide essential services.
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His comments painted a grim picture of a county lagging behind in medical infrastructure, sparking concern among legislators and the public.
In a rejoinder issued on April 22, 2026, Governor Amos Kimwomi Nyaribo’s office dismissed the claims as misleading and assured residents that the healthcare system is not only functional but steadily improving.
The county emphasized that Nyamira County Referral Hospital serves as the central referral facility for more than 116 health centers, and that deliberate investment in human and financial resources over the past five years has transformed service delivery.
The statement pointed to growing confidence in the system, noting that patients from neighboring counties are increasingly seeking treatment at Nyamira facilities, including Masaba Subcounty Level 4 Hospital in Keroka.
The county highlighted achievements that directly contradict Duale’s assertions.
“Dialysis services are already available at the County Referral Hospital, easing access for patients who previously had to travel outside the county,” the statement said.
“CT Scan machines are owned and operational, improving diagnostic services and reducing reliance on costly private hospitals.”
Further, specialized services such as renal and orthopaedic surgeries, alongside urology procedures have benefited more than 175 patients since 2022,.
These developments, the county argued, demonstrate that its healthcare system is far from collapsed.
Governor Nyaribo’s office stressed that additional equipment under the national programme would only be acquired if the need arises, insisting that current services are running smoothly and efficiently.
The statement underscored healthcare as a top priority for the administration and urged the public not to panic.
Nyamira’s leadership sought to reset the narrative, presenting verifiable statistics and pointing to tangible improvements.
