Khalwale blames Ruto gov’t over closure of St. Mary’s Hospital in Mumias

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has expressed disappointment over the closure of St Mary’s Mission Hospital in Mumias.

Khalwale on Sunday pointed an accusing finger at President William Ruto’s government for failing to pay the hospital Ksh.40 million under the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which the facility claims is owed to them after offering medical services to patients.

Addressing congregants at Christ the Shepherd Catholic Parish in Matawa, Mumias West Constituency, Khalwale said the residents of Mumias and Kakamega at large had been relying heavily on the hospital, and its closure is a major blow to the local community.

According to Khalwale, many people continue to die following the hospital's closure, especially given that the public hospital in Mumias is currently facing severe shortages of essential supplies, including medicines.

“Many people here depended on this hospital for their healthcare, now, for three weeks, they have not been suffering because of SHIF,” the senator said.

He further criticized President William Ruto and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa for failing to take proper responsibility over healthcare issues, which he said are worsening the crisis in the region.

“I have told President Ruto that introducing SHIF was a problem, but he ignores me and thinks I am just being disrespectful,” said Khalwale.