MONROVIA, LIBERIA – A political storm is brewing between former CDC Chairman Mulbah Morlu and House Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon over a proposed US$20 million allocation for the John F. Kennedy Medical Center. Morlu has accused Koon of using the funding proposal to mask what he calls an illegitimate hold on the speakership, further intensifying the political divide within the Legislature.
Morlu’s accusations, issued in a fiery statement on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, portray Koon’s promise to secure increased funding for JFK in the 2026 national budget as a calculated move to legitimize his contested position. According to Morlu, Koon is manipulating the healthcare crisis to distract the public from ongoing questions about the legality of his speakership.
The accusations come after Speaker Koon toured the JFK Medical Center on Monday, where he announced plans to push for an unprecedented US$20 million allocation to upgrade the country’s primary referral hospital. Koon highlighted the urgent need for renovations, better salaries for medical staff, and improved patient services. The proposed funding would significantly increase the hospital’s current US$7.1 million budget, which many health experts argue is insufficient to address ongoing challenges.
Koon’s announcement has been welcomed by some healthcare advocates who view the proposed funding as a step toward addressing the country’s crumbling medical infrastructure. JFK Chief Executive Officer Dr. Linda Birch, who accompanied Koon during the tour, emphasized the hospital’s need for sustained financial support. She pointed to inadequate staffing, outdated equipment, and chronic shortages of medical supplies as major barriers to delivering quality care.
However, Morlu remains unconvinced. He argues that the proposed funding is nothing more than a political ploy to extend Koon’s tenure as Speaker, a position he insists is legally flawed. In his statement, Morlu accused Koon of working in tandem with President Joseph Boakai to undermine Liberia’s democratic institutions, including the Supreme Court. He warned that no amount of funding could legitimize Koon’s speakership, describing him as a “disgraced lawmaker” who serves the interests of political elites rather than the Liberian people.
Morlu also claimed that the Boakai administration’s support for Koon reflects a broader pattern of political manipulation and governance failures. He suggested that public frustration is rising and hinted at potential mass protests to challenge what he called an “illegitimate regime.” According to Morlu, the Liberian people will eventually reclaim their democratic rights and demand accountability from those in power.
