Establish Level Four hospital in every constituency, Osotsi tells Vihiga executive

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi during the launching of two health accountability reports by the Institute for Social Accountability at Sosa Cottages in Hamisi subcounty on Monday /HILTON OTENYO

Vihiga county's health sector is under intense scrutiny, with two new accountability reports exposing critical gaps in service delivery and financial management. 

The findings have prompted Senator Godfrey Osotsi to demand an immediate overhaul, putting pressure on the county administration to act.

Speaking at the launch of the reports by the Institute for Social Accountability (Tisa), Osotsi outlined a clear prescription for reform, calling for the decentralisation of services.

“Health is the hottest topic in Vihiga today. We want a Level 4 hospital in every subcounty, well equipped and functional,” Osotsi reiterated.

He called for reforms to the Facility Improvement Fund to align it with national law, allowing hospitals to retain and use their own revenue. 

Citing grave concerns, the senator demanded an immediate audit of the FIF at Vihiga Referral Hospital, pointing to alleged mismanagement, expired drugs and supply chain failures.

“We must ensure that resources translate into real services to the people,” Osotsi said, adding that health remains the most pressing issue for residents of Vihiga.

The event, held at Sosa Cottages in Hamisi subcounty and attended by Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo, unveiled the Citizen Shadow Audit Report of Vihiga Hospital Plaza and the Community Scorecard Report on Health in Vihiga county. 

These documents corroborate long-standing public frustration with the sector.

The stalled Vihiga Hospital Plaza has become a particular flashpoint, even drawing the attention of the National Assembly Health Committee, which has visited the county. 

The Senator's demands come as Governor Wilber Ottichilo publicly acknowledged systemic challenges.

Ottichilo has appeared before the committee three times to explain the project's delays.

In a recent radio interview, the governor admitted that the CT scan at the hospital, secured through the national government, had broken down and the county lacked the funds to repair it, underscoring the resource constraints facing the department.