Schools and residents in Kenyenya, Kisii County have appealed to the County Government of Kisii to reopen the Kenyenya Health Centre to serve the community.
Led by Joel Omagwa, Chairman of Kenyenya Health Centre, they requestedGovernor Simba Arati to visit the facility and reopen it to enable them access health care.
The call comes after the facility was closed indefinitely after a woman and her unborn child died at the, sparking protests from angry locals.
The postmortem later revealed that the woman died from prolonged labor while waiting for medical attention. The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) packed the protest, citing gross negligence and poor conditions, including lack of electricity and water.
Omagwa said that the health centre serves as a referral from other small hospitals and clinics from the area, noting that its closure has adversely affected the residents.
He however appealed for for support, saying that the facility’s reopening has been complicated due to the damages resulted from the protest which show police shot in the air to disperse the crowd which later invaded the facility and looted valuables.
“We can’t sit down and mourn over spilt milk, instead of putting our heads together and finding long-lasting solutions for our people,” he said.
Omagwa assured the public that his office is working with security organs to apprehend suspects who invaded the health centre. He commended the good working relationship between his office and that of Kenyenya Subcounty Deputy County Commissioner William Bett and the church for maintaining peace and harmony among residents.
He appealed to other social organizations like the church, Nyumba Kumi, and civil society to join hands and encourage peace among communities, saying, “Without it, no development will be achieved.”
The Commissioner assured surrounding institutions like Kenyenya and St Peters Keberesi secondary Schools, Riurube and Omogwa primary that soon pupils and staff will cease travelling to long distances to Eberege and Etago Health Centres to seek treatment.
By Enock Okong’o
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