War Memorial Hospital board asks for three weeks to reopen

The Nakuru War Memorial Hospital board has asked for three weeks to reopen and start offering services to patients, one year after its closure on January 23, 2024.

On October 1, 2024, Court of Appeal Judges Mohamed Warsame, Weldon Korir and Paul Gachoka ordered the immediate reopening of the hospital under a joint management of a five-member committee.

However, the reopening stalled over Sh2.3 million electricity and water bills allegedly accumulated since its closure.

On Monday, however, the management said the hospital will be ready to resume operations in the next three weeks.

.

Keep Reading business

•  Envoy says Kenya sees China as crucial bilateral partner beyond infrastructure
•  Stocks enjoy 'Trump bump', but oil slumps
•  Harnessing technology and innovation to boost Eastern Africa's agriculture
•  How new Trump order on foreign assistance will hit your pocket Premium
•  TransCentury bounces back with Sh375m half-year profit

“The hospital has been opened with skeleton staff only, for renovation purposes, to ensure that by the time it is open to the public, it is able to provide quality medical services,” said the board chair Roger Joslyn.

The hospital management also plans to pay the electricity and medical bills.

According to one of the directors Roger Joslyn within the next week, the hospital equipment and machines will be tested and repaired if need be.

Another director Dr Simon Mwangi, said that the joint board was expected to meet on Thursday and discuss further on ways to ensure the hospital operates well.

The board reacted after the Deputy Registrar Court of Appeal Lina Akoth raised concerns over the delay in reopening the hospital.

Akoth noted that the court first ordered reopening of the facility on October 1, 2024.

Other board members raised no objections to the report by Joslyn and Mwangi. They said they were ready to work together and meet to deliberate further on the same.
The court set February 10, 2025 as mention to confirm the progress.

“Parties should work hand in hand to ensure the hospital is operational,” said Akoth.

The total value of the hospital was over Sh1 billion before its closure.

Nakuru county government took over the hospital, chased away over 300 staff and closed it on January 23, 2024, following a dispute over ownership of the 25-acre land, where it stands.

The hospital, located in Milimani Estate within Nakuru County, borders a public hospital, the State House and a helipad.

Since the county government invaded the hospital, took over management and closed it, the private management and the county had been in back and forth over reopening of the hospital.

However, after nine months of chaos, the parties signed a consent for it to be reopened under a joint management.