SENATOR CHUTE SOUNDS ALARM ON FAILING HEALTH SERVICES IN MARSABIT COUNTY

Senate Chamber – Wednesday, 12th November 2025

Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute has sounded the alarm over the deteriorating state of health services in Marsabit County, decrying the continued suffering of residents due to neglected medical infrastructure and non-functional health systems.

While seeking a Statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Health, Senator Chute lamented that despite years of budget allocations by the County Government and additional support from development partners, most health facilities in the region remain in a deplorable condition.

He cited critical components such as oxygen plants, ICU units, and ambulances that are either non-operational, poorly maintained, or completely unavailable, rendering hospitals unable to provide life-saving emergency and critical care services.

“Healthcare is a constitutional right. Marsabit residents deserve functioning facilities, not empty buildings,” Senator Chute asserted.

The legislator further warned that the situation has resulted in avoidable deaths, delayed emergency responses, and increased health risks for thousands of residents, particularly expectant mothers, accident victims, and patients with chronic conditions.He called on the Senate Health Committee to conduct an urgent investigation into the matter, specifically seeking clarification on:

• The commissioning and operational status of oxygen plants in Marsabit County;
• The availability and condition of ICU beds and other specialized medical equipment;
• The number, functionality, and distribution of ambulances across sub-counties; and
• The accountability mechanisms in place to monitor the utilization of public health funds.

Senator Chute emphasized that the people of Marsabit continue to endure preventable suffering despite repeated assurances from local authorities. He urged the national government and relevant oversight bodies to ensure that every shilling allocated for healthcare reaches the intended beneficiaries and translates into tangible improvement of services.

“We cannot continue to normalize dysfunction in the health sector. Our people have waited long enough for promises that never materialize,” he added.

If unaddressed, he warned, the ongoing health crisis threatens to erode public trust and further widen the inequality gap in access to healthcare between urban and marginalized regions.