Governors have been urged to purchase fire fighters and emergency ambulances instead of leasing them to reduce costs, save public funds and ensure efficient and prompt response whenever emergencies occur in their counties.
Speaking to journalists in Athi River on Thursday, Kenya National Fire Brigades Association (KENFIBA), and National Secretary General Francis Omolo Oliech said most governors were misusing public fund through leasing of the said vehicles.
Oliech said it was not justifiable for the governors to hire the vehicles, since it was much expensive as compared to if they had purchased them.
He faulted the governors who had hired fire engines and emergency ambulances in their region, and asked them to engage specialists from the two departments so as to get directions on how to procure affordable and effective equipment and facilities.
The secretary general said Bomet County Government had hired 6 ambulances at Sh600,000 each, Narok County 11 ambulances at Sh600,000 each and Murang'a County one fire engine at Sh500,000 totaling to Sh79.4 million.
Oliech said the amount of money was so huge that was capable of purchasing fire equipment and emergency ambulances for the counties instead of hiring them.