Uproar Forces Ministry to Pull Down Post on Bungoma Hospital CT Scanner Launch

Ministry of Health was forced to hastily delete a social media post announcing the commissioning of a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner at Bungoma County Referral Hospital following a public uproar.

The post, shared on the ministry’s official X account, featured a poorly designed poster that appeared to be AI-generated. 

It included images of Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, both depicted smiling broadly, in what was meant to promote the event.

The commissioning, which had been scheduled to begin at 9am on April 16, was intended to highlight progress in improving healthcare services within the county, as well as showcase collaboration between the national and county governments.

However, the announcement quickly drew criticism from Kenyans online, many of whom questioned the need for such a high-profile event to mark the installation of a CT scanner.

Critics described the approach as unnecessary and poorly judged, arguing that it did not reflect the realities facing the healthcare sector.

Some users expressed concern that the ministry appeared to be celebrating what they considered a basic medical facility, rather than focusing on addressing broader systemic challenges affecting hospitals across the country.

Others criticised the tone of the promotional material, describing it as out of touch with the situation on the ground.

The use of what appeared to be an AI-generated poster further fuelled the backlash, with many pointing out its poor quality and questioning the professionalism of the communication.

The images of the two leaders, prominently featured in the design, also attracted criticism, with some arguing that the focus should have been on service delivery rather than personalities.

Within a short time of being posted, the ministry pulled down the tweet, signalling an apparent attempt to contain the fallout.

However, screenshots of the post continued to circulate widely, sustaining the debate on social media platforms.

The incident has reignited discussions about the state of healthcare in the country, particularly in counties where access to essential services remains a challenge.

Critics argued that while the acquisition of a CT scanner is important, it should not overshadow the need for comprehensive improvements in staffing, equipment, and infrastructure.

Many Kenyans also questioned the allocation of time and resources for the event, saying that dedicating an entire morning to such a launch appeared excessive.

They described the move as wasteful and insensitive, especially at a time when many health facilities are struggling to meet basic needs.