Kenyans up in arms after MPs demand special helicopter, ambulance for emergencies

Kenyans are up in arms after members of parliament demanded a standby helicopter available on a special hotline incase of an emergency- the damages accrued forcing the taxpayer to dig deeper into their pockets.

On Tuesday, the legislators convened a sitting to mourn the late Matungu MP who succumbed to COVID-19 complications while on his way to the St. Mary’s hospital in Mumias last week.

The legislators argued that the late MP would have been alive had he received swift medical attention.

“We are requesting and I have managed to talk to the Clerk of the National Assembly about this that we should be given a hot line number to helicopter services just in case”, Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi said

They also want a properly equipped ambulance for the legislators who live within Nairobi County where access to medical care is easier.

While eulogising the late legislator, Kwanza MP told parliament that the late Murunga’s family spent over 30 minutes to get to the nearest well-equipped hospital.

It was already too late by the time they were referred to the St. Mary’s hospital.

His family had taken him to the Matungu Sub-county Hospital after he collapsed while going up the stairs at his home.

The legislator could not be admitted as the facility did not have oxygen.

The demands have attracted the ire of Kenyans on social media who, led by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo, accused the legislators of being selfish.

“We ( the MPs)are demanding for helicopter evacuation, while my friends in KMPDU are asking for allowances and Protective gear for doctors trying to save COVID patients. We deserve the vitriol directed at us by the Public!” Senator Mutula wrote on Twitter.

We ( the MPs)are demanding for helicopter evacuation, while my friends in KMPDU are asking for allowances and Protective gear for doctors trying to save COVID patients. We deserve the vitriol directed at us by the Public !

— Sen Mutula KilonzoJR (@SenMutula) November 18, 2020

Nairobi Senator John Sakaja however rushed to the defence of the MPs saying only one legislator talked about the helicopter, noting that most talked about improving the health care system in the country.

“The biggest threat to a democracy is a sensationalized electorate that is ill informed. I rarely agree with our noisy neighbors but only 1MP spoke about choppers. Majority dwelt on improvement of facilities at the sub-county for all. Of course that would be boring to report,” Senaor Sakaja said.

https://twitter.com/SakajaJohnson/status/1328990668732194816

In a retort, Senator Mutula said the one MP who had made the demand had made everyone else look bad.

Helicopter evacuation to where? Ensure there's public health care countrywide. That helicopter won't be able to land when urgently needed to evacuate the dishonorable member because of bad weather. pic.twitter.com/f6lx04hrYn

— Mike Musa (@MusaMMike) November 18, 2020

Kindly issue a statement at the floor of the house condemning the move,then after issue a statement to the press outside parliament. We will take you seriously then,Bure keep tweeting Hon.

— kipkirui.N. Cheruiyot (@kipchabasin) November 18, 2020

there would be no need for helicopters if the KMPDU's grievances regarding safe working conditions for both medics and patients was guaranteed,i recall their officials even went to jail over the same issue long before COVID,how many more medics and patients do we have to lose?

— Jimmy Olela (@cescgeemy) November 18, 2020

https://twitter.com/CiikuMugambi/status/1328994394918318080