Women parliamentarians have called for the ouster of Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha following the cancellation of the Linda Mama Programme that afforded free maternal services to mothers across the country.

Speaking on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the lawmakers argued that pregnant mothers have been gravely affected by the ongoing nationwide doctors' strike, which the claim the CS has no solution to.

The over 10 legislators claim that halting the Linda Mama Programme and handling of the medics' strike have demonstrated Nakhumicha's inability to deliver in her role.

Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu explained that a number of women who were unable to afford maternal fees had found refuge in the programme. she claimed that the CS should bare blame for all child or mothers deaths since halting Linda Mama.

“If President William Ruto cares about this country, then he must sack CS Nakhumicha and bring in someone who will better ensure the provision of medical services to Kenyans in need of healthcare. Nakhumicha must go!” She said.

Mombasa Woman Rep Zamzam Mohammed reminded the Kenya Kwanza administration of their campaign pledges, key among them, provision of quality affordable healthcare to Kenyans, which she said included free diapers and the Linda Mama programme.

Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba claimed that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) cards had stopped working. She further sought to know from CS Nakhumicha why the Linda Mama cards are defunct yet money was allocated to the programme in the national budget, and where the money is.

“Are the women who are due to give birth expected to wait until July? We demand the immediate reinstatement of the Linda Mama programme and that President Ruto sacks the health CS,” said Wamuchomba.

“We have been receiving calls from our constituents in the hospital telling us that they had lost their children during birth due to an unavailability of doctors while most have been unable to go to the hospital due to the non-renewal of the Linda mama card,” she added.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo gave the CS a five-day ultimatum to restore order in her docket.

“This is a life and death situation that must be corrected within the next five days. I know that mothers are suffering. If I, who is not a mother feel the pain, imagine what mothers are going through…Nakhumicha is putting us in a compromising situation as women leaders,” she said.