Kihika to challenge ruling on War Memorial hospital

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika. [File, Standard]

Nakuru War Memorial Hospital remains closed even after the High Court in Nyandarua reinstated the lease title deed registered under private ownership.

Meanwhile, the county government of Nakuru has filed a notice of appeal against the decision.

On Thursday, Justice Yuvinalis Angima quashed the gazette notice by Nakuru Land Registrar dated May 19, 2023 which cancelled the title issued to the hospital.

The title lease, first issued in 1922 and renewed for 50 years effective March 1, 2021 was cancelled on May 19, 2023, following a complaint by the County Government of Nakuru.

"The cancellation of the lease is declared illegal, null and void. Deed issued to War Memorial Hospital under private ownership is reinstated," ruled Justice Angima.

Despite the reinstatement of the deed, the hospital which was taken over by the county on January 23, remains closed.

A spot check by The Sunday Standard revealed that the hospital is still abandoned with the gate locked. The entrance route with cabro blocks is covered in silt and overgrown grass, proving it has not been in use for sometime.

In a social media post on Friday, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika criticised the decision of the High Court to reinstate the lease.

"The Environment and Land Court in Nyandarua has attempted to thwart the gains made by people of Nakuru in reclaiming the public land that hosts Nakuru War Memorial Hospital," Kihika posted on Facebook.

Kihika insists the certificate of lease was irregularly issued to the hospital in 2021.

She accused the court of deliberately barring her government from participating in the case.

The governor said the county had filed a Notice of Appeal and will be challenging this decision at the Court of Appeal.