NAKURU – The War Memorial Hospital in Nakuru was subjected to severe vandalism, looting, and staff harassment Thursday evening, following a court directive that allowed hospital staff to reclaim the facility previously controlled by County Government Askaris. The incident disrupted the hospital’s resettlement activities and forced employees to flee for their safety.
According to Kenya News Agency, the turmoil began shortly after law enforcement officers vacated the premises, in compliance with a court order issued by the County Police Commander, Samuel Ndanyi. A group of individuals, described as goons, invaded the hospital, demanding staff vacate the property, which they claimed as public. Attempts to contact the police for assistance were unsuccessful, leaving the hospital staff and property vulnerable to attack.
Hospital Matron Priscilla Musale reported a frustrating cycle of seeking help from local police stations, only to be redirected and ultimately left without support as the attackers ransacked the facility. The recent court orders, including one from Justice Millicent Ondeny mandating the resumption of hospital operations under police supervision, were only partially fulfilled, leading to further judicial directives against the Police Commander to enforce compliance or face legal consequences.
The incident coincided with the hospital’s efforts to distribute vital ARV drugs to over 200 patients, a task hindered by the unrest. Musale highlighted the difficulty in accessing the hospital to manage the delivery of medical supplies received that morning, underscoring the disruption to essential healthcare services.
In a related development, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja celebrated the event as a victory for the people of Nakuru against what she described as tyranny, intimidation, and corruption associated with Governor Susan Kihika and her administration. Karanja’s statements on social media reflect the deep-seated tensions and the community’s determination to maintain the hospital’s operation amidst political and legal challenges.
The backdrop to this incident includes allegations of document forgery by hospital directors related to the renewal of the lease for the hospital’s land, a contentious issue with Governor Kihika who has expressed intentions to revert the property to national control. The hospital, located adjacent to a helipad near Nakuru State Lodge, has been at the center of a dispute that has already resulted in two fatalities during a forceful takeover by the county government two weeks prior, with significant losses reported due to looting.