The County Government of Machakos has closed and revoked permits of all clinics, chemists and laboratories operating near public health facilities across the county.
In a post on his Facebook page, governor Alfred Mutua said the move follows revelations that some county health workers were colluding with private health facilities and sabotaging Universal Health Care by sending patients to private health facilities instead of providing them with free treatment.
"We have enough drugs, reagents and X_rays equipment and it is the hallmark of impunity and corruption for health workers and their collaborators to deny wananchi free health services that are already funded," Mutua said in part in the post.
The vocal governor insisted that he will ensure that locals receive quality services, save money, work and live in a conducive environment.
On March 14, 2019, Mutua had directed that there should be no private health providers within 300 metres of Machakos County government health facilities.
"The minister of health Dr Ancient Kituku will issue distance guidelines. All business permits will be pegged on the licenses," noted Mutua who also put other sectors and polluters on notice asking them to either get their act together or face the painful consequences.
"I will soon be moving to other sectors. The polluters of Athi River should know I will be paying them a visit soon, as promised. My message to them: Get your act together or face the painful consequences," he added.