The irony of Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika traveling abroad to give birth after shutting down one of the best health facilities in the region has earned her the nickname "Queen of Drama" among some residents.
Others describe her as a paragon of contradiction, urging ordinary citizens to seek healthcare at dysfunctional local public hospitals while she escapes to enjoy world-class medical care overseas.
Residents have called on Kihika to follow the example set by her colleagues, Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o and former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, both of whom chose to receive treatment, including surgical operations, at their respective county hospitals.
"Leaders should set examples for their constituents. How can Governor Kihika demonstrate her confidence in local health facilities while traveling abroad to deliver?" Andrew Nyabuto, a resident, remarked.
In January 2024, county government officials, backed by hired goons, surprised residents by invading the Nakuru War Memorial Hospital at night and ordering its closure.
They argued that the lease for the private facility, which had been operational since 1923, had expired and that its extension for another 50 years had been fraudulently executed.
The county also claimed that officials from the Ministry of Lands had ignored a letter objecting to the lease extension.
The 100-year-old health facility had long been the preferred hospital for senior government officers, parastatal heads, as well as prominent professionals and businesspeople in the region.
The closing of this facility, where Governor Kihika's father, the former Nakuru North MP Kihika Kimani, and other family members sought medical attention, has sparked a protracted battle between the county and the directors of the private company managing it.
At the time of its closure, the Nakuru War Memorial Hospital was operational, with a capacity of 44 beds and 15 cots.
It was arguably one of the best healthcare facilities in the region, particularly for patients with kidney complications requiring daily dialysis. More than 30 patients relied on dialysis services at the facility each day.
When taking over the facility, County Secretary Samuel Mwaura, with Governor Kihika's full support, claimed that the county's intervention was prompted by various issues, including the public being dispossessed of the land and disruptions to operations at the nearby Nakuru Provincial General Hospital-Annex.
The facility is situated just a few hundred meters from State House, where presidential helicopters land in an open field adjacent to the hospital, which has over the years been considered part of the hospital's property.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Governor Kihika is abroad shortly after shutting down one of the best healthcare facilities in her county.
Her trip to the United States to give birth coincides with the ranking of The Margaret Kenyatta Mother and Baby Unit in Nakuru as the second-best in the country, following Mama Lucy Hospital in Nairobi.
According to a recent Ministry of Health assessment, The Margaret Kenyatta Mother and Baby Unit excels in providing maternal services, equipped with modern facilities and trained health professionals.
Reports indicate that many of the new health facilities established by Governor Kihika are lacking personnel and essential medical supplies.
A health sector report released last year highlighted a shortage of staff, significantly impacting the quality of healthcare delivery in both existing and newly established facilities.
This report also pointed to a lack of skilled healthcare professionals, hindering the sector's ability to meet the growing demand for services.
Governor Kihika is reported to have given birth to twins at a healthcare facility in the US, leading to outrage among her constituents.
Her decision raises significant issues, particularly given her electoral promise to improve healthcare for citizens.
"It is a shame that the governor has gone abroad for medical treatment when medical centres in Nakuru are run down," observed Geoffrey Mwangi, a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Fund.
