Pastor Kiamah Cries Bitterly On Pulpit While Narrating How Friend's Mum Died Due To Doctors' Strike

• Reverend Tony Kiamah said that the friend, Eric Otondo, reached out to some surgeons but they failed to respond
• He alleged that Kenyans elected leaders based on tribe rather than merit hence the numerous challenges, including the doctors' strike
• Kiamah blamed the governors and Health CS Susan Nakhumicha for the demise of Otondo's mother at Kenyatta National Hospital

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Reverend Tony Kiamah of the River of God church shared a heartbreaking account of how a fellow pastor lost his mother due to the ongoing nationwide doctors' strike.

Kiamah recounted the ordeal of Preacher Eric Otondo, who rushed his mother to Kenyatta National Hospital for urgent surgery just before the doctors went on strike.

Unfortunately, they couldn't proceed with the surgery because the surgeons were absent, and the operating theatre was closed. Despite reaching out to the surgeons, Otondo's plea was not answered.

"He picked up the phone and called a few surgeons, but none went. And so he lay his mother on the bed and walked out. He could not stay to watch his mother breathe her last. He walked home," he said.

Reverend Kiamah blames Kenyans for doctors' strike

Expressing his dismay, Kiamah criticised the public and religious leaders for their silence on the dire consequences of the doctors' strike, emphasising that ordinary citizens suffer at hospitals.

"I am still angry and I pray that I don't get bitter. But what is happening in this country is wrong. And what breaks my heart the worst is that pastors are saying nothing. The church is silent. And the people who are wasting away in those hospitals are our members.

I want to tell Governor Johnson Sakaja and all other governors and the CS for Health that the blood of that woman is in your hands," he added.

Why Reverend Kiamah criticised Kenyans?

In his frustration, he directed blame at the Nairobi county government, specifically Governor Johnson Sakaja, and the Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha for the tragic loss of the woman.

He argued that the current challenges facing hospitals stem from Kenya's electoral habits, noting that voters prioritise tribal affiliations over merit.

He urged for a shift in mindset, highlighting that real change will only come when voters prioritise competence over tribal allegiances.

"Kenya is not broke. We have corrupt leaders in power and we elected those thugs. That is the truth because we elect people based on their tribe rather than merit," he stated.

Pastor Kiamah slams pastors on LGBTQ+ relationships

Meanwhile, on April 5, the preacher called on the clergy for their silence on the LGBTQ+ relationships that are taking shape in the country.

According to him, some pastors have not commented on the matter because they are afraid of losing their visas.

He encouraged the clergy to voice their opinions as churches are losing followers who are already in same-sex relationships.

What else you need to know about doctors' strike?

• President William Ruto urged leaders supporting doctor's strike to pay and settle their grievances
• MP Beatrice Elachi said the parliament had failed doctors by not adequately discussing their grievances
• Doctors threatened to sue National Police Service IG Japhet Koome for issuing a directive to halt doctors' strike

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke