logo
ADVERTISEMENT

The rise and fall of Mediheal founder Dr Swarup Mishra

Before the decline, there were plans to open a hospital in Kampala, Uganda, and Rwanda

image
by JOSEPH OLWENY

News13 February 2024 - 05:06
ADVERTISEMENT

In Summary


  • He bankrolled many community projects, at one time donating hundreds of expensive heifers to women and youths in his constituency.
  • The more he donated, the more his now adopted home loved him. They would give him a Kalenjin nickname Kiprop.
Former Kesses MP Dr Swarup Mishra . File

The Mediheal Hospital & Fertility Centre in Eldoret was established in 2005 as the first in a chain with the directors (Dr Swarrup Mishra and Dr Palavi Mishra) vision of a leading healthcare provider in East Africa with a high focus on quality, cost-effective health care services and to provide affordable international standard care.

The hospital expanded rapidly and opened a major hospital in Nakuru followed closely by two in Nairobi.

Others centres were set up in Kisumu, Kakamega and Mombasa and just before the sudden decline, there were plans for a hospital  in Kampala, Uganda, and Rwanda.

As the hospital grew so did Dr Mishra stature as a well-connected doctor and politician.

He bankrolled many community projects, at one time donating hundreds of expensive heifers to women and youths in his constituency.

The more he donated, the more his now adopted home loved him. They would give him a Kalenjin nickname Kiprop.

In 2017,  he vied for the Kesses seat and easily won. His entry into politics would coincide with the rapid growth of his well regarded hospital.

He empowered Kesses constituents through a series of community programmes.

One of his most ambitious plans was the distribution of 1,000 heifers to the poor of Kesses.

He had surely touched the hearts of the people of Kesses because they love their cows.

He would later on invest in education by clearing college fees and providing scholarships to 2,000 students.

He handed out motorbikes, bicycles, games equipment,  ICT equipment, food and household items to thousands of families.

With months to the 2022 polls, he had established himself as a political powerhouse and put up a new palatial home in up market Elgon View in Eldoret.

The home became a political and business hub for the mighty and the humble who wanted to catch Mishra's ear.

To mark his new status, the home was opened by then Deputy President William Ruto who showered Mishra with praise for a splendid job.

But as polls drew closer, Dr Mishra appeared unsure of the direction he wanted to take in defending his job of MP.

He seemed torn between hanging on with President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Azimio candidate Raila Odinga.

When he realised that his platform would not augur well in a constituency in which Ruto was king, he made the case for an independent in the belief it would create the impression he was a neutral and also hoped that his donations would take him over the line.

His perceived backing of Uhuru and Azimio was soon fodder for his rivals.

It became difficult for Dr Mishra, who had been a darling of all, to campaign without the threat of violence perpetrated by his rivals.

His generosity was soon forgotten and he was instead turned into a political punching bag and singled out as a traitor.

He sadly lost to a former county official Julius Rutto, a little known political novice who was running on a UDA ticket.

Many observers believe it's after the loss that the rains started beating Dr Mishra and his business empire.


ADVERTISEMENT

logo© The Star 2024. All rights reserved