Nakuru war memorial hospital is counting losses after goons descended on the facility, Thursday evening, vandalizing, looting and chasing away members of staff, claiming it was public property.
The chaos, that paralyzed resettlement activities at the hospital, saw staff scamper for safety, a few hours after they were allowed into the facility that had been occupied by County Government Askaris, for two weeks.
The Court had ordered the County Police Commander, Samuel Ndanyi, to oversee the vacation of the County askaris, as well as Kenya Police Service Officers, who were manning the facility, and allow the staff in; which he complied with on Thursday afternoon.
It was after the law enforcers left that the goons stormed in demanding the staff to vacate the ‘public premise’ with efforts to reach the police for backup falling on deaf ears.
“We have been calling the station for officers to come to our rescue, but no one has responded. We have come to report, but were asked to seek help from the neighbouring Kaptembwa Police Station. Officers at Kaptembwa asked us to report at Central Police, which is within our jurisdiction, but they have said they have liaised with Kaptembwa to handle the matter,” noted the Hospital Matron, Priscilla Musale, who was being sent back and forth, as the youthful goons descended on the facility.
Justice Millicent Ondeny ordered the Police Commander, to oversee the resumption of operations at the facility, to which he had partially adhered to. On Thursday Morning, Justice Amtony Ombwayo, ordered that he complies or face contempt of Court.
Earlier, Musale had been denied access to the facility to receive ARV drugs, she said, were meant to reach more than 200 patients registered under the facility.
“This minute we have just received some consignment from KEMSA, we normally get support from the government on ARVs because we have compressive care clinic (CCC) and this morning, our delivery has just come but unfortunately, I am not able to get inside because the orders from above is that I cannot access the staff. All I wanted was just to go inside and get stamp and do official receipt of this consignment,” she said.
Nakuru Senator, Tabitha Karanja, took to her Facebook account to celebrate the ‘victory.’
“Today we have victory as people of Nakuru. Thank you Nakuru people for standing firm and protecting what belongs to you. We have won against tyranny, intimidation and corruption exemplified by Governor Susan Kihika and the cartels around her office,” she stated in her post.
In addition, she stated that the War Memorial Hospital must and will function as long as the people of Nakuru County stand firm and unbowed.
The Hospital Directors were charged last week for forging documents, to pave way for the renewal of the lease of the 25-acre Hospital land.
The Hospital that boarders a helipad to the Nakuru State Lodge has been a bone of contention with Governor Susan Kihika, vowing to revert the private property back to the National government.
Two people are said to have died during the forceful takeover by the County government two weeks ago, with looting of cameras and other equipment ascertained, before the goons descended on the premises later Thursday afternoon.
By Veronicah Ngina and Anne Sabuni
