MANDERA– A Senate delegation visiting key health facilities in Mandera County has exposed a deeply troubled healthcare system plagued by malfunctioning equipment, critical staff shortages, and allegations of drug mismanagement.
The team toured Mandera Teaching and Referral Hospital, Khadija Dispensary, and Elwak Sub-County Hospital. At the referral hospital, only three out of five dialysis machines were operational, far below the required capacity. CEO Okash Adan stated that at least ten machines were needed to meet demand.
Staffing challenges were widespread. Unqualified personnel were found dispensing medication, with some facilities operating without certified pharmacists. “We have serious staffing issues, expired drugs, and some facilities without pharmacists,” noted Senator Mariam Omar.
Concerns were raised over possible theft and diversion of government-supplied drugs to private outlets. Senator Richard Onyonka (Kisii) questioned the integrity of drug distribution.
However, Dr. Khadija, a pharmacist, dismissed the allegations, saying, “That is not true. We follow proper procedures.”
At Khadija Dispensary, Senators discovered expired medication on display. When asked who was responsible for dispensing drugs, clinical officer Abdihaziz Mustafa admitted he was doing so without formal pharmacy training.
In Elwak, attention shifted to logistical challenges, with a shortage of utility vehicles hampering service delivery. Health workers appealed for at least two additional vehicles to ease operations.
The problems in Mandera echoed a broader pattern. Across all three counties visited, Senators noted recurring themes: chronic understaffing, expired drugs, broken sanitation systems, missing medical supplies, and lack of financial transparency.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif when he hosted senate health committee delegation at his office.
Key health workers were frequently absent, infrastructure was deteriorating, and drug storage and disposal practices were dangerously inadequate.
“We were shocked by the level of dysfunction,” said Senator Wakoli Wafula (Bungoma). “We found expired drugs dumped in open fields and no incinerators. In one hospital, we found them stored in a disused toilet.”
With private health facilities rising even as public ones fall into neglect, the Senate Committee has called for urgent intervention. Each county governor has pledged swift reforms, including improved staffing, better equipment, enhanced oversight, and proper waste management.
Summing up the findings, Senator Mandago emphasized, “Healthcare is not just about buildings. It’s about personnel, accountability, and systems that work.”
In response, Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif acknowledged the issues and pledged reforms.
He promised to provide mosquito nets, appoint a permanent CEO for the referral hospital, and complete a KSh 600 million World Bank-funded modern dumpsite by September.
