Fate of over 300 health workers at Nakuru war memorial hospital hangs in the balance
Heavy presence of county Askaris at the war memorial hospital after it's directors were arrested.
As the fight for the ownership of the controversial War memorial hospital rages on, one group watches from the side-lines, worried about their fate.
The group of over 300 workers at the hospital are apprehensive of losing their livelihoods, should the battle take the worst turn.
The workers who stand to suffer the most should the standoff lead to the closure of the hospital are now rooting for an amicable solution to the problem, with dialogue being one of the suggested options to end the wrangles.
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In the address to the county government, the workers moved to express their fears in the ensuing supremacy fight between the devolved unit and the current directors of the hospital.
Following Friday’s arrest of two key directors, Dr Simon Mwangi Watene and Rodger Joslyn, the employees called upon the parties to look at the broader perspective regarding the impact of the fight to the economy and the society at large.
While calling upon the government to release the directors, the workers urged the county government and the hospital management to engage in a constructive dialogue to find an amicable resolution regarding the disputed parcel of land.
According to the employees, a collaborative approach can benefit both the government and hospital, ensuring continued provision of quality healthcare services.
“We believe that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached through open communication and negotiation. Please consider the human impact of these decisions and the hardships faced by doctors, nurses, and all the dedicated staff members who are committed to their roles in supporting the health and well-being of our community,” said one of the workers who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The dispute emanated from the decision by the county government to petition for the cancellation of the lease extension issued to the War Memorial hospital for 50 years in 2021.
The county in October last year in an attempt to take over the management of the hospital said the land ought to be reverted to the government arguing that the hospital had fraudulently obtained the lease extension.
The court however issued orders restraining the county from interfering with the operations of the county.
But on Saturday the county moved to deploy security guards including police and county askaris to man the facility.
County secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura indicated that the move was necessitated by the need to safeguard the patients welfare.
“We just want to ensure that the patients are not neglected in the absence of the management,” said Dr Mwaura.
The hospital however through its lawyer Lawrence Karanja complained that the county had defied court orders and interfered with the operations.
According to the lawyer, the county askaris were turning away patients and their families.
On Monday the directors were charged with 12 counts relating to the fraudulent acquisition of the lease extension in respect to the property, charges which they denied.
They were released on Sh 2 million bond each with surety of similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Sh 1 million.