Fix health crisis in Nakuru now, lobby demands

Nakuru Human Rights Defenders Network on April 30, 2025 during a press statement, they are demanding for formation of an independent taskforce to help tackle health crisis in Nakuru. [Daniel Chege, Standard] The Nakuru Human Rights Defenders Network (NHRDN) is calling for the establishment of an independent Health Oversight Taskforce to investigate the healthcare crisis in Nakuru County. In a statement, the group-comprising members from Nakuru, Laikipia, Baringo, Kericho, Narok, and Nyandarua-has issued a 14-day ultimatum for the taskforce to be constituted. Furthermore, the organisation is demanding the immediate reopening of War Memorial Hospital, in compliance with existing court orders, to ease the burden on public hospitals, including Nakuru Level Five Hospital (PGH). "We demand the activation of the county's Civic Education and Public Participation Unit to convene community barazas where residents can engage, be informed, and voice their concerns," the statement reads. The group is also calling for an increase in medical staff across all major health facilities, particularly at PGH, and for staff welfare and safety to be prioritised. In addition, they are urging the county government to cease the alleged use of force and intimidation, and instead promote civic dialogue and adherence to the rule of law. "The county should collaborate with national institutions to fast-track investigations into incidents of a criminal nature and to strengthen hospital safety protocols," the statement continues. The organisation is demanding accountability within the county's healthcare system, stating that the situation has become critical, with reported fatalities while the leadership remains conspicuously silent. "Over the past five months, the absence of leadership has been acutely felt-not as a political issue, but as a governance failure with far-reaching implications," they noted. The group highlighted severe service delivery gaps in the health sector requiring urgent attention. They argue that the closure of War Memorial Hospital, which had served Nakuru for over a century, has placed immense pressure on PGH, which is now operating beyond capacity. "Its closure was marred by irregularities, including the involvement of criminal gangs and disruptions that put both staff and patients at risk. Patients now endure long waiting times, staff are overstretched, and tragically, lives have been lost," the group asserted. They also raised the alarm over alleged intimidation of those seeking transparency and justice, and the politicisation and weaponisation of healthcare services. They cited disturbing incidents, including the mysterious handling of the body of Baby Mercy Chepng'eno from the PGH mortuary. "Elizabeth Wairimu died at just 27 while giving birth. Her child will now grow up without a mother-not due to fate, but because the system failed her," they alleged. They also referenced the unresolved and troubling death of Dr Laban Langat, a young intern who was found lifeless under unclear circumstances in January 2024. "These events point to systemic vulnerabilities rather than isolated incidents. While the County Government has issued responses, tangible improvements in service delivery remain minimal," the group claimed. They emphasised that since PGH serves the wider region, the collapse of its systems has consequences far beyond Nakuru.

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