Gakuyu dispensary back to life after 25-year closure over land dispute

Gakuyu dispensary which oped its doors to the public after 25 years of closure over land dispute. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

On Sunday, there was a celebration in Kahumbu Ward as a church dispensary that had closed its doors 25 years ago reopened.

While commissioning the Gakuyu dispensary, Governor Irungu Kang’ata expressed displeasure at the suffering the residents have gone through following its closure.

He said the reopening of the facility and its operations had been made possible through one of the programmes facilitated by Sh8 million per ward community projects kitty.

Kang’ata said it was commendable that the area MCA prioritised health and ensured all the issues that occasioned the closure of the facility had been sorted out.

The dispensary that gave hope to Kahumbu ward residents was closed following persistent land related wrangles between Seventh Day Adventist church that managed the facility and the community.

 This brought more troubles to the locals who had no option but to walk over 15 kilometres to access medical services at Saba Saba health centre.

Those with urgent medical attention sought services at Gaichanjiru Mission hospital and Maragua level four hospital which were considered nearer although many succumbed on the way.

One of the residents Muiruri Wamwea alleged the church obtained the land from the defunct Murang’a County Council illegally, which led to resistance from the community. 

“We discovered that the church had obtained a 33-year lease from the county council and the dispensary and Kagwathi primary school at the centre of the disputes were removed from the control of the church,” said Muiruri.

 According to Paul Mwangi Watailor, 86, the facility which was run by the SDA was closed owing to acrimony surrounding a land dispute in the Kagwathi village.

 The community, he said, accused the church of encroaching on the public land where the health facility stood.

“Following the unending conflict the church withdrew support and management transferred to the national government but remained closed as no nurses were deployed,” said Mwangi.

Song and dance as Gakuyu dispensary opened its doors after 25 years of closure over land dispute. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

In the conflict, the church lost control of a primary school and the health facility which reverted to the public. The church was left to manage Kagwathi Secondary School.

In the period of neglect, the building was a security threat as criminals hid in the thickets, while the walls cracked and posed a risk to the locals.

The plight of the facility was debated in a public participation forum spearheaded by the local MCA Chefman Njoroge, as the residents called for its reinstatement and expansion to provide more services.

Njoroge said during the campaigns the residents told him they want the facility repaired and health workers deployed.

“We have expanded the services to be offered at the facility as diagnosis tests will be done, to help in the effective treatment,” said Njoroge.  

He added that the ward lacks a polytechnic that would help in training the youth to acquire technical skills.

Susan Wambui, 65, a community leader, pleaded with Murang’a County Government to construct wards at the facility.

“Kahumbu ward lacks a hospital where one can be admitted for observation thus need the three beds. Also more important is the establishment of a maternity wing to save the expectant mothers from walking long distances for delivery,” said Wambui.