Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has fiercely rejected allegations of a severe health crisis and high infant mortality rates in the county, branding them as politically motivated fabrications designed to discredit his leadership. Speaking at a church service in Ngoliba on October 12, 2025, Wamatangi challenged critics and the doctors’ union over reported death tolls, dismissing claims of widespread fatalities as “vicious lies.”
Wamatangi’s remarks come amid a prolonged healthcare standoff in Kiambu, marked by a four-month doctors’ strike and bipartisan calls from county lawmakers for national government intervention in the county’s health services. Addressing the congregation, the Governor accused his political rivals of orchestrating a smear campaign to undermine his administration.
“Every day, you hear new stories,” Wamatangi said, referencing past attempts to unseat him through bribery of MCAs and police investigations. He claimed the latest tactic involves spreading false narratives about a health crisis, alleging that “children are dying, and mothers are crying” to incite public outrage against him.
Directly addressing reports of 160 child deaths, Wamatangi labeled the figure a “lie” and pointed to recent scenes at Thika and Kiambu hospitals, where he claimed mothers were “holding babies, others holding twins, singing songs” in celebration of safe deliveries.
To counter the allegations, Wamatangi urged local clergy to check burial records to disprove the reported fatalities. “I ask the people of Ngoliba here… tell us if you have buried 20 children somewhere so that this lie can end,” he said, insisting the crisis narrative is a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation. He expressed confidence that “the divine truth cannot be covered by a lie,” stating, “My war is being fought by the Almighty God.”
The Governor’s defense addresses ongoing challenges in Kiambu’s health sector. A doctors’ strike, ongoing for over 160 days as of today, has disrupted operations at major facilities like Kiambu Level 5 and Thika Level 5 hospitals. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) attributes the strike to unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and the county’s refusal to sign a non-victimization clause for returning workers. The union reports over 136 neonatal deaths and 20 maternal fatalities since May, figures the county disputes.
Kiambu County officials, including Chief Officer Dr. Patrick Nyaga, have accused the KMPDU of inflating data for political gain, calling such actions “immoral, unethical, and highly unprofessional.” Health Executive Elius Maina reported 53 neonatal deaths between May and August, asserting many were unrelated to the strike and that hospitals remain functional.
On October 2, six Kiambu MPs, including Thika Town’s Alice Ng’ang’a, demanded national intervention under Article 186 of the Constitution, citing the county’s “incompetence and inaction.” Wamatangi, however, remains defiant, previously stating his administration would not be intimidated or pay “deserters,” emphasizing significant funding allocated to medical staff.
