Makueni CHPS Bicycles Are Not Ambulances, Health Department Clarifies

After an online backlash on Makueni County government department of health over the distribution of bicycles to Community Health Promoters, the county government has clarified on the program.

The program was first criticized by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse cited that the county government distributed the bicycles as alternative 'ambulances' something the health department has refuted.

"Mutula has bought you bicycle 'ambulances', how can you buy bicycles to Makueni people as ambulances, its not propaganda, you will see them, bragging that he has bought an ambulance for every village", mwengi stated.

On his side Kibwezi MOH Dr Patrick Musyoki refuting the claims explained that the bicycles were made for Community Health Promoters from 3 wards in Kibwezi which are made to help in their mobility while visiting residents.

Patrick also noted that the bicycles were procured following a request by the CHPs through public participation.

"This is very cheap propaganda, some people criticizing this are not even aware that this is a program even His Excellence the President is supporting, these bicycles will not be used as ambulances as alleged, we have enough ambulances in Makueni County, the Governor has even purchased more ambulances to serve Makueni people better, these bicycles are made to help in the mobility of our Community Health Promoters, but not as ambulances", Dr Musyoka explained.

Kibwezi CHPs chair Bakari Jabu defending the program narrated that this bicycles will help them in their activities, insisting that they requested for the bicycles.

Bakari called on politicians to stop politicizing government programs noting that they have been walking to visit residents and the bicycles will be a big boost to their activities.

"We have had alot of challenges commuting to see our clients, that is why we requested these bicycles, these bicycles are easy and cheap to maintain and they are made for flat areas in Kibwezi, these bicycles are not ambulances, we requested for them through public participation and only 3 wards set funds to purchase them, we even need more" Bakari explained.

Makueni County distributed 385 bicycles to CHPs in Ivingoni, Kikumbulyu North and Kikumbulyu South wards in Kibwezi Subcounty, Makueni county.