Governor of Meru Mutuma M’Ethingia has today appeared before the Senate Investment Committee to respond to queries concerning the 2023/2024 County Budget, under predecessor ousted Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
The committee’s interests focused on several key sectors, including Health—specifically the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital (MeTRH),the County Staff Housing Fund, and Meru Water and Sanitation Services (MEWASS).
On the matter of MeTRH, issues were raised regarding its financial management, including cashbook maintenance, unreconciled cash equivalence.
The meeting also addressed queries arising from the same regime, regarding the submission of financial statements for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years.
These issues have since been rectified.The Committee further recommended a review of the hospital’s net assets, the value of its Property, Plant, and Equipment (PPEs), opening bank balances, receivables, and payables.
Governor Mutuma also took the opportunity to explain the concrete steps his administration is taking to elevate MeTRH to a Level 6 facility, aligning with the Kenya quality model for health and the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Meru County. These advancements include:
Increasing the inpatient bed capacity from the existing 360 to 700.
Expanding the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from 8 to 15 beds.
The successful acquisition of a new CT Scan.
Ongoing plans to acquire an MRI machine within the next two months.
Furthermore, a sum of KES 121 million has already been factored in for comprehensive staff rationalization and promotions, ensuring our healthcare professionals are motivated and well-supported.
Regarding the County Staff Housing Fund, concerns were raised about mortgage defaulting by former county employees under the Mwangaza regime.
The Committee advised that recovery measures be pursued vigorously, within the full confines of the law.
