Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to expedite the inquiry into last year's fire at Pumwani Maternity Hospital.
Despite the DCI assuming control of the investigation, Sifuna noted during his Saturday visit that the report remains unavailable. Consequently, the building, ravaged by the February fire, has yet to undergo repairs, as it continues to be treated as a crime scene.
“DCI Kenya, this building at Pumwani Maternity Hospital burnt down in February of 2023. Management says although you took over the investigation into the cause, you have never rendered a report,” Sifuna said.
“We need that report concluded and the building handed back to the facility for repairs. The people of Nairobi need it. As things stand, no one can touch it because it is still a crime scene,” the Senator noted.
The fire incident was reported on February 3, 2023 at 3 am at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, razing down the commodity and pharmacy store at the facility.
The incident was confirmed by the then County Executive in Charge of Health, Wellness and Nutrition Anastasia Nyalita who said there were no casualities.
“The Nairobi City County fire and rescue services team responded in a record 10 minutes and put out the fire. There were no casualties,” she said then.
Sifuna has been a man on a fact-finding mission in the capital this week.
Despite being a vocal critic of the national government, he has shifted focus to scrutinising local projects within the capital this week.
Displaying a commitment to serving the interests of Nairobi residents, Sifuna conducted a series of site visits to projects with great impacts on the public.
On Wednesday, the Senator started with the evaluation of the Sh1.7 billion Dishi na County school feeding programme.
In November, the Nairobi Country government initiated efforts to reclaim the Pumwani Nyayo Wards and convert them into a standalone children’s hospital under the Pumwani Maternity Referral Hospital.
County Chief Officer in charge of the health facility, Geoffrey Mosiria, announced that the facility would be revamped and transformed into the first government-owned children’s hospital in Nairobi County, and Kenya.
