Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has threatened to push for the impeachment of Governor Susan Kihika, citing alleged mismanagement of the health sector.
The Senator’lamentations are stemming from the controversial takeover and closure of the War Memorial Hospital by the county government.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Senator Karanja condemned the governor as “incompetent and inhumane” for purportedly sabotaging health operations, leading to loss of lives at the hospital. She also accused the Governor of violating court orders.
Senator Karanja accused Governor Kihika of ordering county officers to raid the facility, causing disruptions that impeded medical care and resulted in patient fatalities.
She further criticized Governor Kihika for closing down the War Memorial Hospital, which she claimed was the only medical facility meeting international standards comparable to those of Nairobi and the Aga Khan Hospital.
“As the Senator of Nakuru County and the deputy Majority leader of the Senate, I strongly condemn the attack on the hospital by the county. This shows we have a governor who is so inhumane and never follows the rule of law and never respects the court,” Senator Karanja stated.
The Senator also alleged that Kihika had terminated the employment of over 500 health workers in July, replacing them with incompetent individuals.
Senator Karanja also attributed disruptions in Mai Mahiu Hospital, Naivasha Hospital, Gilgil, and Njoro facilities to the governor’s actions, asserting that they have jeopardized the health sector in the county.
She added that these actions have contributed to the death of Mau-Narok Sacco chairperson David Kimani.
“What Nakuru residents have experienced since Friday, after the arrest of the doctors of WMH, it is something that has never been anywhere in the world, and we can never forgive the governor,” Karanja lamented.
“Sadly, a lot of people have died since October 28, 2023, following the disruptions of War Memorial Hospital. The chairman of Mau-Narok Sacco, David Kimani died this morning over the forceful takeover of the War Memorial by county askaris under the instructions of the governor to evacuate all the patients and medical staff.”
The conflict between the Nakuru War Memorial Hospital management and Nakuru County government revolves around a 25-acre piece of land.
Last October, the county government assumed control of the hospital, citing document forgery by the management.
Patients were forcefully transferred to the Nakuru Provisional General Hospital Annex Wing last week amid the ongoing dispute. Despite court orders in 2023 halting the takeover process, the county government proceeded with the takeover in 2024, with county askaris raiding the hospital.
