Former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, who is gunning for the Machakos gubernatorial seat, has stated that he intends to convert the lavish governor’s office, built by the incumbent Alfred Mutua, to a referral hospital should he ascend to power in next year’s polls.

The UDA party chairman posits that the office, famed as the White House, was over-priced to the detriment of Machakos residents.

“Building an overpriced multi-billion Governor’s office (Whitehouse) by Dr. Alfred Mutua in Machakos Town was ill-advised and against the common good. In my tenure as the Governor, I will convert that office block to a referral hospital to ensure that all residents have access to the highest possible standard of health care irrespective of where they live within the County,” he said.

The flamboyant politician opines that conversion of the luxurious building to a referral hospital will ensure residents of Machakos county and those of the Ukambani region by extension, stop trooping to the Kenyatta Teaching and Referral Hospital in the neighbouring Nairobi county for specialized treatment.

“This will stop unnecessary & costly movement of patients (seeking high level of care) to Kenyatta Teaching & Referral Hospital in Nairobi City County. Our people deserve better,” he added.