Court delays opening of War Memorial Hospital

Nakuru War Memorial Hospital was closed on January 23, 2024 by the county government. [File, Stanadard]

The Court of Appeal through its Deputy Registrar, has delayed the reopening of the Nakuru War Memorial Hospital for three more days.

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

On Monday, Deputy Registrar Linah Akoth was informed that the national government through the office of the Attorney General and Land registry, was yet to submit the name of the fifth member of the committee.

Lawyer Kamau Chomba acting for the hospital’s private management informed the court that the government was yet to comply with the orders of October 1.

However, Ms Akoth granted the government three more days and directed the name to be submitted on October 17.

“The case will be further mentioned on October 17,” she said.

Two weeks have passed since the three-judge bench ordered the reopening of the hospital under joint management.

The judges said the five committee members will comprise two from the hospital and two from the Nakuru county government.

“The AG and the land registry are directed to appoint one member to the committee,” the Judges ruled.

The judges directed the five to temporarily manage the hospital  and be in charge of all the employees and suppliers.

The court directed that the chair of the committee will be a member from the hospital’s private management.

Last week, the county government appointed the County Secretary Samuel Mwaura and Executive Committee (CEC) Health Roselyne Wanjiru to the committee.

The hospital appointed their directors; Dr Simon Mwangi and Roger Joslyn, to sit in the committee.

The hospital stands on a 25-acre land in Milimani Estate within Nakuru County. It borders a public hospital, the State House and a helipad.

On January 23, 2024, the county government invaded the hospital, took over management, closed it and chased away over 300 staff.

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