Nakuru Human Rights Defenders Network has made a call to action healthcare accountability in Nakuru County.
In a Press Release dated April 30, 2025, the Nakuru Human Rights Defenders Network (NHRDN), in collaboration with partners from neighboring counties Kericho, Narok, Baringo, Laikipia, and Nyandarua maintained that it stands in solidarity with residents of Nakuru County and concerned stakeholders across the region to raise a call for responsive and humane healthcare governance.
The network notes that over the past five months, the absence of direct and consistent leadership in the county has been deeply felt not as a political issue, but as a governance concern with far-reaching implications.
As defenders of human rights, they acknowledge and respect the office of the Governor and the achievements thus far, especially the milestone of having the first female Governor in Nakuru’s history.
However, they have raised concerns about critical service delivery gaps, especially in the health sector, that require urgent attention.
The human rights defenders cited the closure of Nakuru War Memorial Hospital, a facility that had served the region for over a century, as a move that has created immense pressure on Nakuru Level 5 Hospital.
“Its closure—despite existing court orders—was marked by irregularities, including the involvement of criminal gangs and disruptions that endangered both staff and patients. This has had a compounding effect on Nakuru Level 5, which now carries a burden far beyond its capacity. Patients face long waits, staff are overstretched, and in some tragic instances, lives have been lost,” reads the statement.
The human rights while emphasizing that healthcare is not a privilege but a right, they stated that it must remain apolitical, professional, and accessible.
The are increasingly concerned about the politicization and weaponization of healthcare, as well as instances of intimidation directed at those seeking transparency and justice.
According to them, every citizen has a right to accountability, and every healthcare worker has a right to safety and dignity in their workplace.
They pointed out that their concerns are not speculative but evidenced by disturbing incidents:
The disappearance of Baby Mercy’s body from the PGH mortuary, the tragic death of Elizabeth, a 27-year-old mother during childbirth, and the unresolved troubling death of Dr. Laban Langat, a young intern found lifeless under mysterious circumstances some times back.
“Each of these events points to systemic vulnerabilities—not isolated failures. And while the County Government has issued responses, tangible improvement in services remains minimal. Nakuru Level 5 is a referral facility that supports not just the county but the entire region. When systems break down here, the consequences are regional,” they stated.
It is for this reason that the Nakuru Human Rights Defenders Network has made 6 key proposals aimed at immediate interventions:
1. Establish an Independent Health Oversight Taskforce to assess service delivery gaps and propose reforms across public health institutions.
2. Fast-track the reopening of Nakuru War Memorial Hospital in compliance with court directives and public interest.
3. Activate the County’s Civic Education and Public Participation Unit to hold community barazas that allow residents to engage, be informed, and air concerns constructively.
4. Increase staffing at all major health facilities, especially Nakuru Level 5, and prioritize staff welfare and safety.
5. De-escalate the use of force and intimidation. Let civic dialogue and the rule of law guide accountability—not suppression.
6. Work with national institutions such as the KMPDC and DCI to expedite investigations into the incidents criminal in nature and strengthen hospital safety protocols.
Furthermore, the Human Rights Defenders Network has emphasized that psychological wellbeing is inseparable from physical health.
While pointing out that studies show that positive psychological assets such as social support, optimism, and life satisfaction improve health outcomes, they stated that healthcare environments must therefore foster not only clinical care but human dignity and hope.
“We call on all arms of the County Government to rise above politics and deliver services with urgency and compassion. We remain committed to supporting the government in fulfilling its mandate—because a healthy Nakuru is a thriving Nakuru, and a thriving Nakuru means stronger revenue, better services, and a more resilient society. As the saying goes, “Health is wealth,” and no county can prosper when its people are unwell,” they concluded.
