Former Chief Justice David Maraga/Handout
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has urged both national and county governments to urgently address the ongoing healthcare crisis in Kiambu, saying it highlights deeper challenges facing the country’s health system.
In a statement issued on Friday, Maraga expressed concern that the prolonged doctors’ strike in Kiambu County has continued for several months, with reports indicating that vulnerable patients, including newborns, have been the most affected.
He described the situation as tragic and called for a renewed focus on the constitutional promise of quality healthcare for all citizens.
“When the 2010 Constitution was enacted, it promised dignity, the right to life, and the highest attainable standard of health for every Kenyan,” Maraga said.
“What we are witnessing today is a healthcare system struggling to meet those expectations.”
He noted that the healthcare crisis in Kiambu should not be viewed solely as a county matter but as a reflection of national challenges in health financing, staffing, and management.
The former CJ stressed the need for accountability and compassion in handling such disputes, urging leaders to put patients at the center of health policy decisions.
According to Maraga, the strike and its consequences underscore the urgency of reforms within the State-backed Social Health Authority (SHA).
He said while deductions are routinely made from citizens for healthcare services, many patients continue to experience limited or no access to essential care.
Maraga’s remarks come amid growing debate on how to strengthen Kenya’s health sector, with calls for improved dialogue between medical professionals, counties, and the national government.
He said the crisis presents an opportunity to reset the country’s priorities by focusing on sustainable healthcare delivery and ensuring constitutional rights are upheld.
The former Chief Justice concluded by calling for a compassionate approach in resolving the ongoing dispute, saying the health and lives of citizens must remain the guiding principle in all negotiations.
“It's time for a reset to the politics of compassion
demanded by our constitution when it promises a right to inherent dignity and to
universal health care for all Kenyans,” he concluded.
His remarks come amid recent reports that Kiambu is facing
serious challenges in managing its healthcare system, raising fresh concerns
about service delivery in one of the country’s most populous counties.
In response, several Kiambu legislators have urged the national government to consider taking over the running of healthcare services in the county.
“There must be an immediate intervention. The only realistic
lifesaving path is for the national government to assume control function in
Kiambu County, moving to 2027,” they said in a statement on Thursday.
