Politicians nationwide are expressing their dismay over Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s decision to receive treatment at a local hospital, fearing this could put his life at risk. They view his choice as an irresponsible act that could set a hazardous precedent for other leaders. They believe that leaders should prioritize their health by seeking top-tier medical services overseas, arguing that it’s essential for them to maintain good health in order to fulfill their roles effectively.
An anonymous politician voiced concern over the risk of politicizing such a serious issue as health, asserting that leaders’ lives are too valuable to be put on the line for political gain. The worry is that this could encourage other politicians to follow suit and seek treatment in understaffed and under-equipped public hospitals.
These politicians insist that to ensure their well-being and continue to bring development to their constituents, they should be entitled to state-of-the-art medical facilities both domestically and abroad. They argue it’s a disservice to the people they serve to risk their lives in lesser equipped hospitals.
Critics are urging the Senate Health committee to question Governor Nyong’o over his violation of the tradition of providing leaders with high-quality, expensive medical care abroad. They believe his actions contravene the constitutional clause related to leaders’ health.
While some leaders were relieved that American doctors assisted the local Kenyan medical team during Nyong’o’s treatment, they insist that in future he should seek treatment at overseas hospitals where such experts are based. According to them, leaders owe it to their constituents, who foot the bill for their healthcare, to seek top-level treatment in cities like London, New York, or Johannesburg. Any deviation from this standard is considered disrespectful to the taxpayers.