Sonko pardons suspended Pumwani Maternity officers
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has softened his stance on the three top management officers he suspended at Pumwani Maternity Hospital last month, saying that he will reinstate them.
Governor Sonko said that the suspension of the officials was not in bad faith but aimed at ensuring that there was efficient service delivery to Nairobi residents.
“We can even reinstate the suspended doctors even now. I did not have any bad intention, what I wanted was service delivery to the people. Expect some changes in the next 48 days,” said Mr Sonko when he paid a third impromptu visit at the facility on Sunday at 4.25am.
On September 17, Governor Sonko suspended the entire Pumwani Maternity Hospital Board, the Superintendent Dr Catherine Mutinda, Hospital Administrator Zaddock Anghanya and Obstetrician Gynaecologist Dr James Kamau.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
This came after 12 bodies of infants were found stashed in cartons at the facility when the governor conducted his first impromptu visit at the facility.
The suspended officers were given 14 days to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.
However, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) threatened to call a doctors’ strike if the suspended officials are not reinstated.
KMPDU chairman Samuel Oroko condemned the suspensions, saying Governor Sonko acted illegitimately since the officers were not to blame for the death of the infants.