Maai Mahiu tragedy revives debate on Nakuru's stalled health projects
An arial view of Maai Mahiu hospital that was expected to be completed in November 2021.
The issue of stalled projects has always been a topic of discussion in Nakuru County.
Critics of Governor Susan Kihika have often questioned whether she will fulfil her promise of completing all stalled project before starting new ones.
Last week Nakuru witnessed the Maai Mahiu floods tragedy that saw 52 individuals lose their lives in the horrific incident.
Amidst this tragedy, the issue of stalled projects glared its ugly head, this time bringing to the fore the incomplete Maai Mahiu level 4 hospital.
According to the Nakuru County Government Facebook page, the project was handed over to the contractor on January 28, 2021 and was supposed to be done by November of the same year.
However, up to date the hospital is yet to be completed.
The facility was supposed to have modern theatres, laboratories, x-ray imaging centres, pharmacies and other level 4 hospital essentials.
The whole point of this hospital was to bring health care services closer to the people and ultimately decongest the Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital as well as the Naivasha Sub County Hospital.
With the incident that occurred last week, one could only imagine how handy the hospital would have come in.
Official reports indicate that over 100 people were rescued on Monday and treated at Mai Mahiu health centre and a further 32 referred to Naivasha Sub County hospital.
James Waikibia, a Nakuru resident highlighted the issue of the hospital on his Facebook page evoking a discussion among other residents.
On September 1, 2023, Mtaa Wangu highlighted the issue of stalled health projects where we learnt that health projects worth over Sh1 billion are yet to be completed.