NZIOKA WAITA SLAMS GOVERNOR WAVINYA OVER MACHAKOS LEVEL 5 CRISIS

Former Machakos gubernatorial aspirant Nzioka Waita has sharply criticized Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration, accusing it of poor leadership, ignorance, and failing to prioritize the welfare of residents.

Speaking in a widely circulated address, Waita took issue with the county government’s handling of the ongoing nurses’ strike at Machakos Level 5 Hospital, which has left many patients without essential care. He expressed frustration that Governor Wavinya was attending and “dancing” at the Devolution Conference while Machakos residents were, in his words, “suffering and dying due to lack of medical attention.”

“The current government of Machakos County is making it look like it is impossible to run a government,” Waita said, adding that the strike is a symptom of deeper issues in leadership and resource allocation.

He stressed that the well-being and welfare of medical professionals must be a top priority, noting that quality healthcare lies at the heart of the devolution agenda.

“How can we think about development as Machakos residents when everyone who is sick is not treated well?” Waita posed.

Nzioka Waita urged residents to stop voting based on political party loyalty and instead elect leaders with proven ability to solve real problems.

“We must choose leaders who can deliver — not just those who sing party slogans,” he emphasized.

The nurses’ strike at Machakos Level 5 Hospital has now entered its 6th day, with nurses protesting over unpaid allowances, poor working conditions, and inadequate staffing. Meanwhile, patients continue to bear the brunt of the standoff as health services remain paralyzed.

Crisis at Machakos Level 5: Senator Kavindu Demands Immediate Action as Nurses’ Strike Paralyzes Services

Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu has raised the alarm over what she describes as a full-blown humanitarian crisis at Machakos Level 5 Hospital, following an impromptu visit to the facility on Tuesday. 

The Senator’s visit was prompted by an outpouring of distress calls from patients and relatives, reporting that the ongoing nurses’ strike had left critically ill patients unattended. On arrival, she was met with grim scenes — patients in severe pain with no medical personnel in sight, some struggling to move, while others had been discharged despite being too weak to leave.

“What I witnessed was devastating — human suffering in its rawest form. This hospital, meant to be a place of care and healing, has turned into a place of desperation,” Senator Kavindu lamented.

She described relatives taking on the role of nurses, feeding and assisting their sick loved ones, while others helplessly watched their conditions worsen.

Senator Kavindu has called on the Machakos County Government to treat the situation as an emergency and to engage with striking nurses without delay. She emphasized that finding a return-to-work formula must take priority over bureaucratic delays.

“This is not a political issue — it is a matter of life and death,” she stressed. “Our people are suffering in hospital beds and in their homes. We must put humanity first and act immediately to save lives.”

The strike, now in its advanced days, has crippled services at one of the largest referral hospitals in the region, leaving countless patients caught in the crossfire of the labor dispute.

RENATA Health World Opens New Office in Meru in Colourful Grand Launch

RENATA Health World officially opened its Meru branch in a vibrant and well-attended grand opening ceremony held today, Wednesday 6th August 2025, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s journey of expanding quality health and wellness services across Kenya.

The new office is strategically located at the Think Twice Building, Second Floor, Room B5, in the heart of Meru town. The launch event, which began at exactly 10:00 AM, brought together health professionals, community leaders, partners, and members of the public who gathered to witness the inauguration of the new facility.

The ceremony was jointly hosted by a team of dedicated RENATA representatives — all of whom played pivotal roles in organizing and steering the event. They were joined by special guests Dr. Nick, Director of RENATA Health World Kenya (RHWK), and Dr. Anthony, both of whom offered inspirational remarks during the event.

In his keynote address, Dr. Nick underscored the importance of community-focused health interventions, emphasizing RENATA’s mission of promoting holistic wellness through natural and sustainable approaches.

“This opening today is more than just a physical office launch — it is a commitment to the people of Meru. We want every household to have access to health knowledge, wellness products, and support systems that empower healthier living,” said Dr. Nick.

Dr. Anthony applauded the initiative, saying the Meru office will act as a crucial health and wellness hub in the region.

“We are bridging gaps in preventive healthcare and giving people practical, everyday tools to improve their lives — from nutrition to mental wellness,” he said.

Local residents and guests expressed optimism that the opening of the Meru office would transform the local health landscape by providing easily accessible services such as health consultations, wellness coaching, herbal and natural products, detox programs, and educational workshops.

The event concluded with networking, light refreshments, and one-on-one sessions with RENATA health experts.

Machakos Nurses Down Tools Over Delayed Salaries

Nurses in Machakos County have officially downed their tools and threatened to vacate health facilities, citing persistent delays in salary payments.

Addressing the media at Machakos Level 5 Hospital earlier today, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Machakos Branch, led by Secretary Mr. Saka, condemned the county government for failing to pay their salaries, despite earlier communication from the County Secretary.

"We are going through a very difficult time. We haven't been paid, yet we are expected to report to work daily. We are using our personal savings to get to work, and this is no longer sustainable," said Saka.

The union leadership stated that all hospitals in Machakos have been closed, and more health centers will follow suit if the issue remains unresolved.

"If the government continues to ignore us, we will close every health center too. We can't keep being managed like this," added Saka.

Nurses expressed frustration that their colleagues in neighboring counties have already received their dues, yet Machakos continues to lag behind.

"Kitui has paid, Makueni has paid—why is it only Machakos that hasn’t? What have we done to deserve this kind of treatment?" questioned another union official.

With over 1,350 nurses affected, the union has issued a firm ultimatum to the county government.

"From now on, after every 5th day of the month, if we have not been paid, we will not report to work. Period," emphasized Saka.

Despite a prior statement from the Machakos County Secretary assuring nurses that payment was being processed, the union says no progress has been made, and they are still in the dark.

This strike is expected to paralyze health services in the county, with residents now left uncertain about access to public healthcare.

Kiteta/Kisau MCA Hon. Darius Mainga Secures Free Medical Camp and Wheelchair Donations Through Jain Social Group & Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care

In a significant boost to healthcare services in Kiteta/Kisau Ward, MCA Hon. Darius Mainga has secured support for a 4-day free medical camp and wheelchair donations from Bharat Parekh, representing the Jain Social Group and Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care. The medical camp, launched at Kieleeleni Primary School in Tawa, Kiteta/Kisau Ward, Mbooni Constituency, Makueni County, aims to provide critical healthcare services to hundreds of students. The camp, which started on September 23, 2024, will run until September 26, 2024.

While leading the team during the launch, Hon. Mainga expressed his deep appreciation to the two organizations for their commitment to supporting the community. He noted that this initiative was the result of months of relentless lobbying to address the pressing healthcare needs of his constituents. The camp is providing services such as general health check-ups, eye care, dental care, and specialist consultations, giving residents much-needed access to medical care without the burden of financial costs.

As part of the initiative, two physically disabled individuals were provided with wheelchairs, a personal victory for Hon. Mainga, who highlighted the importance of ensuring that those with mobility challenges receive the necessary support. "This is just the beginning," Hon. Mainga remarked. "We are determined to continue pushing for more resources to ensure that no one in our community is left behind, whether it's in healthcare or education."

In addition to the medical services, the Jain Social Group and Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care are actively involved in renovating classrooms in several schools across the Ward. These efforts are part of their ongoing commitment to giving back to society and improving educational infrastructure in the region. The renovations, already underway, will enhance learning environments for students, contributing to better education outcomes for the future.

MCA Mainga urged the organizations to continue partnering with the local community and promised to keep advocating for further projects that will benefit his constituents. The medical camp is expected to serve over 1,000 residents by the time it concludes, providing vital healthcare services that many would otherwise struggle to access.

Endau / Malalani Residents Benefit From Free Medical Camp Organized By Dr. Rhoda Kithuku

In efforts to bring health services close to Wananchi, hundreds of Endau / Malalani residents in Kitui East have benefitted from a one - day  free medical camp organized by Dr. Rhoda Kithuku ,an exercise that was conducted at AIC Church in Endau Market. 

The medical camp offered a range of medical services, including blood pressure and blood sugar screening, child health, and malnutrition screening, among many others.

"The exercise will not only go a long way in transforming lives but also taking healthcare services closer to the people," said Dr. Rhoda Kithuku 

Hundreds of people turned up to benefit in the free medical check-up and treatment by specialists.

"The day was a success. We've witnessed hundreds of Endau /Malalani residents, including those who usually don't visit hospitals for tests due to lack of finance,  benefit from this initiative, " revealed Dr. Rhoda Kithuku 

The free medical camp comes at a critical time when Kenyans are facing hard economic times, leaving many patients and Kenyans who can not afford private hospitals in distress.

"I am pleased with the turnout for this camp, and i encourage everyone to get regular check-ups to prevent further complications," pointed out Dr. Rhoda Kithuku 

Dr. Rhoda Kithuku explained that the medical camp aimed to address the healthcare needs of the Endau / Malalani residents 

''This is not the last time we are organising such an event. There is more in the pipeline, " added Dr. Rhoda Kithuku

Beneficiaries at the Endau market praised the initiative, mentioning that it's often challenging to leave Endau / Malalani for such services.

MACHAKOS IMPROVES ON PUBLIC HEALTHCARE PROVISION. SEVERAL PROJECTS ONGOING TO ENHANCE HEALTHCARE SERVICES

Earlier today, Machakos Health Minister Dr. Daniel Yumbya, in the company of Chief Officer of Health Rashid Kala, inspected the ongoing projects at Machakos Level 5 Hospital.

Construction of perimeter wall around wards, kitchen store and drug store, kitchen roofing, and renovations of interns' quarters are among the several projects that are ongoing at Machakos Level 5 Hospital.

According to Machakos County Minister for Health Dr. Daniel Yumbya, Human health is life.

When he was taking oath of office at Machakos White House, Dr. Daniel Yumbya, Machakos County Minister for Health, said that he is goalminded and visioned to transform Machakos HealthCare facilities. 

The construction of the perimeter walls will play an important role, not only in safeguarding the patients but also in protecting hospital drugs and many essential healthcare equipment in the hospital  

"Machakos Healthcare facilities, no matter which levels, shall never remain the same on my watch. I am in to bring about a positive change in the health sector, " said Yumbya

All this, is in line with Governor Wavinya Ndeti's agenda in improving the infrastructure in all health facilities as well as service delivery. 

When he took over as Machakos Health Minister, you could smell Machakos Level 5 Hospital half a Kilometre away, but today, The Level 5 facility Hospital is the cleanest public hospital.

Maternity Unit was poorly arranged and with no order, but today, it is the best for expecting new mothers, with working hot showers, clean beddings, nets, and clean, safe water, among others.

Pathways in the hospital have been replaced and modernised for easy motability of both patients, visitors, and vehicles accessing the hospital.

These amazing changes have been replicated across the county with other healthcare facilities being renovated and the rest under works.

Before Yumbya came in, Machakos had faced a high rate of "Medicines Theft," but currently, there are no loopholes. Dr. Yumbya has laid strategies to ensure that government medicines are safe and well stored.

Currently, Machakos Healthcare facilities don't allow any corruption, unlike before Yumbyas leadership.

Machakos has the best emergency response with at least one ambulance in every location that responds to emergencies in ( 5 - 10 ) minutes. 

Yumbya has fully renovated health centres to provide quality and efficient healthcare all over Machakos .

Under Yumbya's leadership, County Health Promoters who have stagnated in one job group for a long period of time were promoted.

Machakos locals lauds Minister Yumbya for his good work, revealing that currently Machakos Healthcare Services are efficient.