Kirinyaga MCAs have vowed not to use the Sh2 million car grant promised by President Uhuru Kenyatta for passing the BBI Bill.
Speaking on Wednesday, the MCAs pointed out that they will divert the money into buying ambulances instead of personal cars.
Led by Thiba MCA Pius Njogu, the decision to buy the ambulances was a deliberation by all members to boost the healthcare sector.
“We will not take the loan as Kirinyaga MCAs. Instead, each ward is going to have an ambulance from the car loan that the president said will be given as a way to boost the health sector and also save lives,” Njogu said.
According to nominated MCA Caroline Wanjiku, the county currently has one ambulance that is unequipped and is not enough to cater for referrals hence the need to purchase additional vehicles.
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She lamented that buying the ambulances will relieve the MCAs from ferrying patients with their own vehicles, something that endangers lives.
"As MCAs we take sick people to hospitals with our own vehicles due to the nature of lack of ambulances. The vehicles we have are not even equipped thus the condition of a patient may worsen, that is why we need many standby ambulances," she noted.
Njogu said that since an ambulance is more expensive than a car, they have ensured that all sub-counties get at least one.
“Cost of an ambulance is high. It goes for approximately Sh5 million,” said Njogu.
During his meeting with Mt.Kenya leaders, President Uhuru committed to ensuring that MCAs will get car grants to pass the BBI.
On Tuesday, Kirinyaga joined other counties to pass the bill that will now head into parliament and pave the way for a referendum.
