This archive report was first published on 9 July 2021.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Explains Night Health Facility Launch in Nairobi ¶
On Tuesday night, President Uhuru Kenyatta embarked on an unannounced tour of Nairobi County, launching several health facilities in the city. The move sparked widespread interest on social media, with many Kenyans expressing surprise and admiration for the President's initiative.
According to a video shared by Pulse Live, President Kenyatta explained that he opted to open the health facilities at night to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols put in place by his government. He noted that it would have been impossible to launch the facilities during the day due to the large number of people who would have been out.
President Kenyatta also highlighted the limited availability of hospitals in Nairobi, stating that many facilities are only open from 8 am to 6 pm. He emphasized that this meant that residents who required medical attention outside of these hours would have had to rely on Kenyatta National Hospital.
During his tour, President Kenyatta officially launched the Gichagi-Kangemi hospital, which will serve the people of Kangemi and its environs. He also opened the Rueben Health Centre in Mukuru Kwa Rueben, Embakasi, as well as the Gathende Dispensary in Dagoretti North and the Tasia and Gatina Dispensaries.
President Kenyatta's surprise visit to Rueben FM, a community radio station in Nairobi's slums, also generated significant interest. He did a random interview with the station's presenters, promising to return for a proper interview at State House.
Photos from the President's night tour have been widely shared on social media, with many Kenyans praising his efforts to improve healthcare in the city.
