By Robert Nyasato

Nyamira, Kenya: For the last seven years Bannister Simi, 63, travels for 60km daily to get medication.

Previously, the diabetic man who requires constant medical attention, used to get the services a stone-throw away from his home at Kenyenya Health Centre.

But since the community differed with the Seventh Day Adventist Church over the facility ownership, Simi has to endure 60km on the road daily at a cost of Sh200 in fare to access medical attention at the Nyamira District Hospital.

The SDA, Nyamira Conference was running the facility on behalf of the community but differences arose over its ownership and the piece of land where it stands (about 12 acres) leading to its closure.

Simi is not alone. Many residents living with lifelong medical conditions are in similar situation.

About 20,000 people relied on the health centre for services. And after the long wait, now the residents want the dispute resolved for services to resume at the facility, arguing the closure has cost them untold loss.

Genesis of the conflict

When The Standard visited the facility that was once vibrant, it was in desolate state with animals freely roaming the compound in search of pasture.

According to Kenyenya Health Centre Management Committee chairman Noah Simi, the church was mandated to operate the facility on behalf of the community in 1958, but services started deteriorating seven years ago following a conflict between the residents and the church leaders.

He says residents decided to take it over from the church and revert it to the Government for improved services.

“In 2007, we started agitating that the Government runs the facility so that the community would get better services,” Noah said.

However, Noah says, the church was not happy with the community’s decision and moved to the High Court on grounds they had plans to take over the land.

According to court documents, the land where the facility stands was held in trust for the community by then Nyamira County Council.

Contacted, Director of Medical Services at the Nyamira SDA Conference Stephin Ogega declined to discuss the matter.