Residents and leaders in Timau, Buuri constituency, have welcomed a Sh30 million maternity facility at Timau Level 4 Hospital, saying the project will improve maternal and newborn care and give mothers a safer place to deliver.
The facility, whose groundbreaking was led by Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia and Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri in partnership with Safaricom Foundation, business lead John Ndung’u is expected to strengthen healthcare services for mothers and newborns in the area.
Governor Mutuma described the project as “a new beginning for the mothers and the next generation of Timau”, saying the investment would provide mothers with a safer and more dignified environment to give birth.
“Supporting healthcare at the community level is an investment in mothers, babies and the future of our county,” Mutuma said.
Rindikiri said the project marked an important milestone for healthcare in Buuri to improve maternal and newborn services in the constituency.
He said the facility would provide a modern environment for mothers and newborns while improving access to quality healthcare closer to their homes.
“We do not interfere with development depending on who has brought it. Wherever development comes from, I congratulate it, as long as our people in Timau and Buuri benefit,” Rindikiri said.
He said he had no political differences with Governor Mutuma and was focused on development that benefits residents.
“I have no war with Mutuma. My work is development,” Rindikiri said, while thanking Safaricom Foundation officials, including project manager, for supporting the initiative.
Residents said the maternity facility was long overdue, with Lucy Gikunda describing the project as a major investment in the health and safety of women in Timau.
She said residents had for years prayed for a modern maternity facility where mothers could give birth safely without having to travel long distances in search of services.
However, the launch was marred by a confrontation among supporters of local political leaders, according to residents who attended the event.
Gikunda said the incident, which involved shouting and physical confrontation, was embarrassing to the community, particularly in the presence of Safaricom Foundation officials who had attended to launch the development project.
“This is heartbreaking and completely unacceptable. Spare us the little squabbles,” she said.
Gikunda urged local leaders to put aside political differences and allow development projects to proceed without political disputes.
“We don’t care about political credit. We care that our mothers have a place to give birth safely,” she said.
Mutuma said partnerships such as the one between the county government and Safaricom demonstrated what could be achieved when different stakeholders worked towards improving services for residents.
The governor thanked Safaricom for choosing to invest in Timau and urged continued collaboration in projects that directly improve the lives of residents.
