Matiba hospital risks closure over Sh8m rent arrears

One of the largest eye and dental hospitals named for veteran politician Kenneth Matiba risks closure after the Murang’a County government failed to pay rent amounting to over Sh8 million.

The Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Hospital, located in Kenol Town, was opened by Mr Matiba in May but county officials have not paid rent for five months.

In a letter to Governor Mwangi Wa Iria dated August 17, the owner of the building, George Wainaina, has threatened to bring in auctioneers to attach the hospital’s equipment.

The county pays Sh1.2 million every month to lease the building.

“When I ask county officials for the arrears, they demand kickbacks [in order] to pay me. The governor has also refused to pick up my calls,” Mr Wainaina told the Nation.

The hospital owns equipment worth over Sh100 million and its closure would be a blow to patients from across central Kenya.

But Governor Wa Iria said the delay in paying Mr Wainaina was due to the transition to the current financial year, which started in July.

“It was not fair for him to run to the media with such information,” said the governor.

He said the payment is on a priority list, adding that it was sad if the landlord was allowing politics into a very sensitive matter.

“The landlord is a key partner in all this and if there are challenges, as a government we shall address them amicably,” he added.

Mr Wa Iria has been criticised for renting the premises instead of building a hospital on government land.