Speaking during the commissioning of Sololo Level 4 Hospital in Marsabit County on December 11, the two leaders said the petitioners were slowing down government programmes meant to improve health services.
Mudavadi delivered a strong message to the critics of the deal, accusing them of trying to block development projects for political reasons.
He said some Kenyans wake up each day with the sole purpose of opposing government initiatives, even those that could improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
“There are Kenyans who wake up thinking of how to sabotage the government daily,” Mudavadi said.
“Some have even gone to court to stop a health programme that President Ruto secured funding for from the United States.”
According to Mudavadi, the health partnership aims to strengthen public hospitals, supply essential medical products, and support Kenya’s long-term plan to offer quality healthcare to all citizens.
He said the move to halt the plan affects millions of Kenyans who depend on government hospitals.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya echoed Mudavadi’s sentiments, accusing the petitioners of acting without considering the suffering of many Kenyans dealing with health challenges.
She said stopping such a major health programme denies citizens access to vital resources.
“It is painful to see someone go to court to stop a Universal Health Coverage programme while Kenyans are suffering,” she said.
“This programme was designed to help families who cannot afford treatment.”
Mudavadi further urged Kenyans to support the partnership, pointing out that other East African nations have already signed or are in the process of signing similar health agreements with the United States.
“Uganda has already gotten the deal,” he said.
“You want to stop Kenya’s deal while our neighbours are moving ahead? Rwanda and other African countries will soon sign the same arrangement.”
He insisted that Kenya must not lag behind when regional counterparts are embracing similar opportunities that could modernise their health systems.
Mudavadi said the government views the petition as politically motivated and vowed that the Attorney General will fight to overturn the High Court decision.
He urged Kenyans to avoid politicising health matters and instead support initiatives that strengthen the healthcare sector.
The leaders reminded the public that President Ruto and U.S. Secretary of State Marc Rubio were present during the signing ceremony on December 4 in Washington, D.C., showing the seriousness and scale of the cooperation.
The Kenya–US Health Cooperation Framework was put on hold after the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) and Senator Okiya Omtatah filed a petition seeking to stop it.
The High Court issued an injunction stopping any implementation until the case is heard fully.
The petitioners raised concerns about possible exposure of sensitive health information, such as HIV records and TB history, to foreign entities.
They argued that the damage from such exposure would be irreversible.
0 Comments