Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko has blamed rogue healthcare workers for the deteriorating services at the Migori County Referral Hospital, accusing them of institutional sabotage and extortion following a maternal tragedy at the facility.

The deepening healthcare crisis has rapidly transformed into a high-stakes political battleground ahead of the next political cycle.

Following the death of a woman who underwent a Caesarean section (CS) at the facility last week, Governor Ayacko and his fierce political critic, Uriri Member of Parliament Mark Nyamita, have clashed sharply over who bears responsibility for the failing hospital.

Nyamita, a gubernatorial aspirant aiming to unseat Ayacko, launched a scathing attack on the county executive, accusing the administration of severe misprioritization.

He alleged that critical county funds are being diverted toward vanity projects—such as constructing an expensive county gate—instead of securing fundamental hospital necessities.

“Our referral hospital lacks running water,” Nyamita claimed in a biting assessment of the facility. “Patients are forced to buy basic medical supplies, staff lack gloves, and the main theater is completely non-functional.”

We have drugs, officers are sabotaging my administration

Faced with mounting public outrage over the maternal tragedy and Nyamita’s allegations of severe drug stock-outs, Governor Ayacko pushed back aggressively.

In a public address, the Governor shifted the blame away from administrative neglect, pointing fingers directly at corrupt healthcare personnel whom he accused of intentionally hoarding supplies to extort vulnerable patients.

Defending his administration’s medical procurement levels, Ayacko insisted that essential medicines and equipment are fully stocked at the facility but are being hidden by rogue staff demanding bribes.

“There are some arrogant health workers who, when you go seeking treatment, demand money or tell you to go buy medicine elsewhere,” Governor Ayacko countered.

To support his claim that the shortage is an artificial crisis manufactured for personal gain, the Governor cited a recent incident shared by a local resident.

“As you heard, that gentleman confirmed that medicine is available. But he was told to pay extra money, and when he couldn’t, he was only given Panadol,” Ayacko revealed.

Accountability

While Nyamita maintains that the maternal death is proof of a systemic failure caused by underfunding and a severe shortage of qualified staff, Governor Ayacko has instead weaponized public oversight to weed out internal saboteurs.

Declaring a zero-tolerance policy on extortion, the Governor issued a rallying cry to Migori residents to expose corrupt hospital staff on the spot.

He urged citizens to refuse to pay any illicit fees and instructed them to use their mobile phones to capture photographic or video evidence of any health official withholding medical care or demanding cash.

Ayacko warned that public health resources are meant to serve the people of Migori, and any officer found engaging in corruption, theft, or abuse of office will face immediate disciplinary action and dismissal.

“Restoring public confidence in the healthcare system requires absolute transparency, professionalism, and the responsible use of public resources,” Ayacko stated.

He called on the public to note the names or staff identification numbers of rogue workers and forward them directly to the county executive for swift action.