The tweet, shared on the MOH's official X account, featured a shoddily done AI-generated poster featuring Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and Health CS Aden Duale grinning from ear to ear.

The event, expected to kick off at 9am, April 16, was supposed to be a proud statement of the county's strides in improving healthcare and the national government's inclusion in the possibly pompous affair at the Referral Hospital. 

However, it was quickly blasted by Kenyans who found the whole concept rather tasteless and highly unnecessary; many castigated the Health CS and the Bungoma Governor for making such a furore over such a basic matter as a CT Scan machine.

Many did not see the need for setting aside an entire morning to launch a vital machine in a county where healthcare has been steadily deteriorating, finding the whole premise out of touch, wasteful, deeply insensitive and even downright silly.

A CT Scan machine, many argued, should already have been one of the Bungoma County Referral Hospital's main accessories, with Kenyans wondering why the delivery of such a standard piece of diagnostic equipment required publicity, coverage and even wastage of public resources.

James Nzioka said, "CT scan machine in a County Referral Hospital is not a landmark achievement. It is a basic requirement. In 2026, celebrating the installation of a 160-slice scanner is akin to a transport ministry holding a national gala because they finally bought a spare tire for a bus."

"This is absolute madness Bwana CS! The cost of fuel for "fuel guzzlers," security detail, and travel allowances for a high-level delegation could likely have stocked the same hospital’s pharmacy with essential drugs for months! Or even another CT Scan machine!" someone else wrote.

"Announcing in 2026 that a county referral hospital didn’t have a CT scan. And then using it as a campaign strategy. Then having the Ministry’s official page post," tweeted Dr Rowena.

Others pointed out that the CT Scan Machine had already been delivered to the Bungoma County Referral Hospital back on March 26, and a handover ceremony was also held then, wondering why there was any need to hold yet another ceremony over the same matter.

"The BCRH Medical Superintendent Dr. Simon Kisaka already handed over this machine back in March 26 in the presence of the Health Department Administrator Robert Mose and other top Hospital officials. Why then do we need yet another ceremony? To celebrate the same so-called 'achievement'?" Ruth Kalande asked.

On his part, Robert Gachugu wrote, "When the fanfare dies down and the CS flies back to Nairobi, who ensures the electricity stays on to power the machine? Who ensures that a patient from Webuye isn't told, "the system is down," two weeks from now? Who ensures that the machine continues running? We need more than just fancy functions, we need dependable deliverables!"

After an avalanche of negative responses, the MOH's X account quickly deleted the tweet, clearly sensing that Kenyans were not on board with the charade, and as an obvious tactic to avoid further damage to the Governor and Cabinet Secretary's reputation.

"Real progress doesn't need a plaque - it is felt in the reduced mortality rates. Until then, save the ribbons, park the fuel guzzlers, cancel the media and just do the job. The people of Bungoma don't need a ceremony; they just need the machine to work!" Jimmy K wrote. Citizen Digital