Give Us a Director of Medical Services, Medics Cry Out to Governor Malombe

By Our Reporter.
In a rare public outcry from a typically composed profession, senior medical practitioners in Kitui County are calling on Governor Dr. Julius Malombe to urgently appoint a Director of Medical Services (DMS) to head the crucial health docket.

The position has remained vacant for over a year following the exit of the highly respected Dr. Allan Owino, leaving a significant leadership and coordination vacuum within the Kitui County Ministry of Health and Sanitation. The absence of a DMS has reportedly disrupted effective service delivery, strained communication with the national government and development partners, and weakened oversight of key health programs such as vaccination drives and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) interventions.

Led by their union liaison officer, Dr. Suleiman, the medics have raised the alarm over rising inequalities in staffing and supplies across health facilities. “A hospital like Migwani has four doctors while Ikutha, with similar infrastructure and service demand, has only two,” Dr. Suleiman noted. “Further, the distribution of drugs and medical supplies has become heavily skewed, with nearly 60% of allocations funneled to Kitui County Referral Hospital—crippling operations in other facilities.”

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Lower Eastern Secretary General, Dr. Muiruri, underscored the critical nature of the DMS role, drawing parallels with the recent wrangles over the confirmation of Dr. Patrick Amoth as DMS at the national level. “Once Dr. Amoth was confirmed, the systems at Afya House started working seamlessly. That’s the kind of leadership we need here in Kitui too,” said Dr. Muiruri.

According to national schemes of service, a DMS should possess a degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) and a master’s qualification in a relevant managerial or clinical discipline—such as Public Health, Health Economics, or a Master of Medicine specialty. Dr. Owino, the previous officeholder, held a Master’s in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and had previously served as superintendent of both Kitui and Mwingi hospitals, and as the Medical Officer of Health for Kitui County.

The medics now urge Governor Malombe to move with speed and publicly advertise the position. They say the appointment of a qualified DMS will not only streamline operations but also revitalize service delivery and improve morale across the health sector.

“This is not just about leadership—it’s about saving lives,” one doctor concluded.

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