BY PSCU/JOHN WERU,3RD JULY 2017-President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday 3rd July handed over to counties seven ambulances purchased with money recovered from a UK company Smith & Ouzman found guilty of bribery to get a Kenyan contract.
The ambulances will be used to support the health referral system and will be based at health centers that really need them.
Governors Joshua Irungu, (Laikipia), Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir), Simon Kachapin (West Pokot), Julius Malombe (Kitui), Evans Kidero (Nairobi) and Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) received the ambulances on behalf of their counties.
The seven counties have a unique referral system challenges, largely related to remoteness as well as existence of a huge network of primary care facilities in relation to the number of hospitals available to the people.
The ambulance vehicles have been fitted with Basic Life Support equipment to ensure safe transport of patients.
Speaking during the function, President Kenyatta said his Government is working closely with the Governments of the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Jersey on a tripartite agreement-Framework for the Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime in Kenya (FRACCK).
“These Ambulances will go a long way in saving lives and enhancing emergency response services in the selected Counties which were in dire need of this support,” said the President.