Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has been urged to collaborate directly with hospitals in the counties within Western Kenya in the wake of massive corruption at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
Kisumu Senator Prof Anyang Nyong’o has said the 11 counties where the presence of the CDC project with KEMRI is being felt cannot afford to lose the multi billion project.
Prof Nyong’o said many programmes that were being supported by the project now lie in jeopardy, due to corruption allegations.
“The HIV/Aids, TB and other infectious diseases whose research was being carried here have stopped due to corruption,” he said.
Addressing the press in Kisumu on Monday, Prof Nyong’o said over 2,000 people have been retrenched as a result of corruption, with many families now staring at poverty.
He said those found to have misused the funds meant for research and improving on the health of the locals should be dealt with according to the law.
Nyong’o said the project was widespread in the region, and had a multitude of people who were benefiting either directly or directly.
“Western Kenya region will not let the CDC project go just like that, I appeal to them to collaborate directly with the hospitals,” he said.
In the recent days, close to 1,500 workers at the institution have downed tools protesting the delay of salary payments, further paralysing the project work.