Kibung’a Hospital in Tharaka-Nithi without power for a month over unpaid bill

A sign board outside Kibung’a Sub-County Hospital in Tharaka-Nithi. Health workers have been forced to use torches and tin lamps when attending to patients at night after Kenya Power disconnected electricity due to a Sh95,000 unpaid bill. PHOTO | ALEX NJERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Patients have been forced to travel for many kilometres to Tharaka Sub-County Hospital or to Meru for treatment.
  • Health executive Magdalene Njeru, however, said the hospital administration had not reported the matter to her.
  • Tharaka Sub-County Hospital Medical Superintendent Henry Muchiri also denied knowledge of the power disconnection.
  • Marimanti MCA Paul Mwabu criticised the county government for neglecting the hospital.
  • A few months ago, part of a worn-out ceiling fell, narrowly missing a new-born baby and its mother.

Health workers at Kibung’a Sub-County Hospital in Tharaka-Nithi have been forced to use torches and tin lamps when attending to patients at night after Kenya Power disconnected electricity due to an unpaid bill.

The hospital has been operating without electricity for a month after the county government failed to pay the Sh95,000 bill.

Other services that require electricity have also been paralysed, forcing patients to travel for several kilometres to Tharaka Sub-County Hospital or to Meru for treatment.

Health executive Magdalene Njeru, however, said the hospital administration had not reported the matter to her.

“These people did not communicate to me. I am getting information right now, but I am trying to solve the problem,” Ms Njeru said in a text message.

Health chief officer Walter Mutegi separately told the Nation that the bill was to be shared between the hospital and a contractor recently hired to renovate the facility.

NOT AWARE

Tharaka Sub-County Hospital Medical Superintendent Henry Muchiri, who is in charge of all health facilities in Tharaka North and South sub-counties, also said he was not aware of the power cut.

“The clinical officer manning the hospital claims to have sent me an email that he copied to other authorities but I did not get the information,” said Dr Muchiri.

Marimanti Ward Representative Paul Mwabu criticised the county government for neglecting the hospital.

“This is the only hospital in Turima Division and when services are paralysed, many people are affected,” said Mr Mwabu.

A few months ago, part of a worn-out ceiling fell, narrowly missing a newborn baby and its mother.

A resident, Mary Gacoka, told the Nation that women prefer giving birth at home under the care of traditional midwives over going to the hospital due to poor services.

“Our homesteads are better because we have light unlike the hospital, which is in complete darkness,” said Ms Gacoka.