Turkana Senator James Lomenen has formally petitioned the Senate to investigate what he described as a deepening healthcare crisis in Turkana County, citing persistent drug shortages, understaffing, failures in the Social Health Authority (SHA) system, and alleged negligence at Lodwar County Referral Hospital.
Speaking during the Senate’s health oversight session on August 4, Lomenen invoked Standing Order 53(1) to request a statement on the state of healthcare services across the county. He said residents continue to endure shortages of essential medicines, overcrowded health facilities, delayed treatment, and difficulties accessing services under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“Our people continue to face severe drug shortages, critical understaffing and failures in accessing SHA services, while county employees continue to have medical deductions made from their salaries without receiving the healthcare they are entitled to,” Lomenen told the Senate.
He maintained that healthcare is a constitutional right and called for stronger oversight and accountability to restore public confidence in the county’s health system.
Lomenen further said concerns had been raised that county government employees continue to have statutory health deductions made from their salaries despite being unable to access benefits under both the county medical cover and SHA, forcing many to pay medical bills from their own pockets. According to the senator, the situation has caused avoidable suffering and, in some cases, loss of lives, highlighting the need for urgent intervention.
In his request, the senator asked the Senate Health Committee to provide a comprehensive report on the status of healthcare service delivery in Turkana County, including Lodwar County Referral Hospital and all public health facilities. He wants details on staffing levels, bed capacity, availability of essential medicines, medical equipment, critical supplies, healthcare infrastructure, congestion in hospitals, referral services, and measures being implemented to address the existing gaps.
Lomenen also demanded an explanation on the implementation of the Social Health Authority and the county employees’ medical cover in Turkana, including challenges affecting access to healthcare, reasons for continued SHA deductions despite reported system failures, and measures to guarantee uninterrupted emergency medical services.
Additionally, he called for information on what measures the county government has put in place to compensate or reimburse employees, patients, and families who suffered financial hardship, adverse health outcomes, or lost loved ones because of the failure or inaccessibility of the county medical cover and the SHA system.
The senator further sought a full account of all health funds allocated during the 2025/2026 financial year and urged investigations into any negligence within the county health sector, including appropriate compensation for patients and families found to have been adversely affected.
