It’s  conundrum: do Kenya’s rich and powerful fly abroad for medical treatment because the country’s health system is so bad, or is Kenya’s health system left to rot because the country’s rich and powerful don’t have to use it?

Former President Daniel arap Moi , now aged 93, flew back from Israel last week where he had been treated for a problem with his knee.

Of course former President Moi is not the only ex-head of state to be treated abroad. Former President Mwai Kibaki was treated in South Africa in 2016 for a blood clot in his neck and his late wife Lucy was treated in London.

KENYA’S POLITICIANS TREATED IN THE US, SOUTH AFRICA AND GERMANY

Politicians of all political hues of Kenya’s political spectrum have skedaddled out of the country in search of treatments and cures not always readily available in Kenya, or at least not in the conditions that the great and good will accept (unlike ordinary Kenyans who have to accept it).

Raila Odinga has been treated in the United States more than once and his daughter Rosemary flew to South Africa for treatment.

Boimett County Governor Isaak Ruto and TV personality Jeff Koinange also took the South Africa route when in need of treatment.

Somewhat ironically, former Health Ministers Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and Senator Beth Mugo (a first cousin to President Uhuru Kenyatta) have received treatment for cancer abroad.

CANCER TREATMENT IN INDIA

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s wife Pauline was treated at length last year in Germany, another favorite destination for healthcare for those that can afford it, along with Singapore and now we hear India.

Media reports, possibly emanating from Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu (aka ‘Wakapee’) who has just returned from India following successful treatment for cancer, suggests that nine Kenyan MPs and four Senators are currently also being treated for cancer in India.

In truth the Kenya Forum doesn’t blame anyone, when confronted by life-threatening illness or injury, seeking the best medical help they can get, wherever it may be (who among us wouldn’t?) but Kenya’s dilapidated healthcare system is unlikely to be fixed whilst our politicians and opinion former’s have that option and the ordinary Kenyan does not.