Inside court cases delaying reopening of Nakuru war memorial hospital

The Nakuru War Memorial Hospital has been a topic of discussion since the county government tried to forcefully take over its management, a matter that landed in court.

Now less than two years later, the Hospital has been embroiled in court battles fighting on numerous fronts.

On October 1,2024, the court of appeal ordered the immediate reopening of the hospital under a joint management structure.

The court directed that the county government and the hospital each appoint two representatives, while the national government would appoint one.

The county government on their part appointed the County Secretary Dr. Samuel Mwaura and Health Executive Roselyn Mungai.  

The hospital in turn chose Dr. Simon Mwangi and Roger Josylyn to the committee. While the national government appointed Peter Ongori.

These individuals were tasked with overseeing the hospital’s operations, including employees and suppliers’ relations.

However, the hospital remained closed despite the formation of an Interim Management Committee.

According to an article by Nation. Africa published on December 18, 2024, the hospital management had electricity and water bills totalling over sh.2.3 million which delayed its re-opening.

“This bill had accumulated since January, the period the hospital had remained closed,” read part of the article.

Furthermore, one of the hospital’s director’s Dr. Simon Mwangi who appeared before the Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal Lina Akoth informed the court that the county government had demanded payment of these bills.

Other issues impending its reopening included the need for a gate and a burning chamber for waste disposal.

On 20 January this year the court ordered the re-opening of the hospital within three weeks.

The Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal Lilian Okoth directed the joint interim management committee appointed to oversee the reopening and running of the facility, to ensure it is open to the public within that period.

One of the board of director’s Rodger Joslyn, told the court that the hospital had only been opened with a skeleton staff only to allow renovations.

Mr. Rodger requested for more time so that they ensure they are up to standard and are able to provide quality medical services by the time they open it to the public.

The deputy registrar raised concerns over this matter saying that the court orders were issued three months ago but the hospital is yet to open its doors.

Fast forward to date the hospital is still not open.

In March this year, the Nakuru County Government suffered another blow after their bid to end the hospital’s land lease were brought to a halt by the Court of Appeal.

There are still two cases ongoing, a criminal case against the hospital’s directors who have been charged with fraudulent acquisition of the lease for the 26-acre parcel of land while another is at the Environment and Land Court in Nyandarua to determine the ownership of the land.