- For months now, the county government has been fighting to take over the facility after its 95-year lease expired in 2021.
- Trouble started on October 28, last year, when the county government invaded the facility on claims that the management had illegally acquired a 50-year lease extension.
Image: EZEKIEL AMINGÁ
Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja now wants President William Ruto to intervene in the raging fight between the county government and the management of War Memorial Hospital over ownership.
The lawmaker faulted Governor Susan Kihika for troubles at the facility, alleging the county boss was hell-bent on ‘grabbing’ the hospital's 25-acre land.
“All they want is to grab the War Memorial Hospital land. I call upon President William Ruto and the National Land Commission to protect this land and premises from grabbing,” Karanja said.
She alleged that county-sponsored goons invaded the facility and flushed out people moments after the police removed county askaris from the premises following a court order.
The goons, armed with rungus and swords, chased away the workers placing the lives of tens of critically ill-patients at risk.
According to the senator, the governor has used her powers to frustrate and attempt to take over the facility despite numerous court orders placing the hospital in the hands of the current managers.
“As we speak, the hospital is under the control of armed criminal gangs hired by the Nakuru county government. The place is inaccessible again. Are we in Kenya a country with a rule of law or some banana republic?” she posed.
The senate deputy majority leader added, “the governor must be stopped from name dropping the President’s name when giving orders for her dirty business.”
For months now, the county government has been fighting to take over the facility after its 95-year lease expired in 2021.
Trouble started on October 28, last year, when the county government invaded the facility on claims that the management had illegally acquired a 50-year lease extension.
However, the county takeover of the hospital was upset two days later when the Environment and Land Court issued orders directing it to vacate the facility and stop meddling in its management.
The latest saga started on January 19, when five people who included two senior directors of the hospital, were arrested on claims of forging a lease document for the land.
The following day, the county government led by county secretary Samuel Mwaura raided the hospital, took over the management and kicked out hospital staff.
Efforts by the court to have the county vacate the hospital have been futile as the area police boss is yet to implement the order.
Efforts by the Environment and Lands Court to have the county vacate the hospital have been futile as even Nakuru County Commander Samuel Ndanyi, who was supposed to implement the order refused to take the instructions.
This compelled Justice Millicent Odeny to summon Ndanyi to appear before her but he has failed to do so on three occasions.