Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has called on Kiambu County leaders to urgently address the ongoing health crisis in the county, following reports of 131 newborn deaths and a bitter clash between medical practitioners and the Council of Governors (CoG).

On Monday, October 6, 2025, Wamuchomba took to X to issue a strong message to Governor Wamatangi, urging him to convene a meeting of all county leaders to find amicable solutions to the ailing health systems urgently.

“Health crisis in Kiambu will not be whisked away till a solution is found. I urge Governor Wamatangi to call a meeting for all Kiambu County leaders to deliberate on finding amicable solutions to the ailing health systems urgently,” she said.

Also watch: Kiambu governor dismisses claims of hospital crisis as politically motivated.

“I have taken time to investigate the impact of the failing health systems, and I am willing to go to court to defend my allegations.”

Wamuchomba said mothers in her constituency had lost infants at birth and emphasised that she was speaking out on their behalf.

“Mothers in my constituency has lost infants at birth. This is factual. There are mothers in pain. I’m their voice to defend,” she added.

Union and governors clash

Gathoni’s statement comes in the wake of a heated exchange between the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and the CoG over neonatal deaths in Kiambu County. KMPDU accused the governors of showing callous insensitivity and of downplaying the deaths as a political manoeuvre, while the CoG denied the reports and insisted hospitals remained operational.

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Bhimji Atellah said the union rejected the governors’ claims, calling them a distortion of facts.

“Governors in high towers, while mothers mourn in silence,” he said.

The union further stated that the ongoing strike in Kiambu was a result of systemic failures, broken promises, and poor management by the county government. KMPDU demanded an apology, a transparent investigation into the deaths, and accountability for officials found culpable. It also urged President William Ruto to dissolve the Kiambu County Government for what it described as gross failure and criminal negligence.

Governor Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of the CoG, accused KMPDU of politicising the issue and called on the Ministry of Health and the union to allow counties to manage their health systems independently. He dismissed claims of 136 deaths as not actual.

However, Wamuchomba rejected the notion that the crisis could be ignored or dismissed. She stressed that local leaders had a duty to the mothers and families affected and that failure to act could result in further preventable deaths.