Inside the decade long dispute that led to the demolition of Baraka Nursing Home
Baraka Nursing and Maternity Home that was demolished on November 3
The demolition of Baraka Nursing and Maternity Home marked the end of the facility operations after a protracted property dispute between its operator, Dr. Andrew Ochoki, and the Muslim Association of Nakuru, which says it intends to build a modern hospital on the land.
The demolition followed a court order issued in October, with the association maintaining that Dr. Ochoki had been given time to vacate the premises but declined to leave.
Speaking to Mtaa Wangu, Ahmed says the dispute arose as the property's valuation increased over the years, with the association seeking to adjust rent accordingly.
He says the property's valuation initially placed its at Sh 25,000 before rising to Sh 35,000 and currently Sh 150,000, which the association wanted Dr Ochoki to pay.
However, Dr Ochoki maintained paying Sh 45,000 to date, an amount he had paid for years, Ahmed says.
“He was paying Sh 45,000, but the valuation had gone up. We wanted him to pay rent according to the current valuation,” Ahmed says.
Dr Andrew Ochoki who owned the Baraka Maternity Home that was demolished.
The chairman says the association had been pursuing the matter through court for about 10 years, seeking to have the property's current valuation respected and rent adjusted.
He notes that he has been involved in the dispute for about a decade, including four years as chairman, following litigation under previous leadership.
The association, which is the registered proprietor of the property, eventually issued a notice terminating the tenancy on December 16, 2025, requiring Baraka Maternity and Nursing Home to vacate by March 16, 2026, on grounds of intended renovations.
The matter proceeded to the Business Premises Rent Tribunal after Baraka challenged the termination notice, seeking to remain on the premises and continue its maternity operations.
In a judgment delivered on October 15, 2026, the Tribunal struck out the hospital's complaint, upheld the termination notice and ordered it to surrender vacant possession by October 31.
The Tribunal further authorized the landlord to evict the tenant in default, with the OCS Nakuru Central Police Station required to supervise the eviction to ensure compliance and maintain law and order.
Ahmed says the association returned to the property after the deadline, but Dr. Ochoki declined to leave, prompting enforcement of the eviction order.
He adds that the association had been seeking to reclaim the property to facilitate plans to establish a bigger hospital.
“We want to build a proper hospital. The existing one is small, and we want to build a modern hospital that will help everybody in the community,” he says.
Ahmed says the property has a history dating back decades, tracing its ownership to Seth Ibrahim Karimbux, whose property was eventually sold.
He notes that members of the Muslim Association bought the land and built the hospital, with businessman Gilanis contributing a substantial share of the construction funds.
“Gilanis donated most of the funds to build that hospital. But the Muslims, in general, were the ones who mobilized the money and built it,” he says.
Ahmed adds that Gilanis' contribution was recognised through a plaque at the facility and his name on the association's school flag.
The chairman says the association's efforts to reclaim the property have spanned several years, including litigation under previous leadership.
While disputing claims by Dr. Ochoki about goons having been sent to enforce the eviction, Ahmed says that’s a blatant lie and alleges that some people arrived at the property to attacked members of the association.