This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has filed a lawsuit against the Kenyatta National Hospital Board (KNHB) and Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki over the planned construction of a private hospital at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
According to court documents, the KNH Board announced in October 2019 that it would construct a Ksh.15 billion, 7-storey private hospital to fund public services at the institution. The project, which is set to begin in 2020, will feature a Level Six, 300-bed facility on 3.6 hectares of land with 500 motor vehicle parking slots.
However, KMPDU argues that the project was undertaken without public participation, despite KNH being a public institution. The union claims that the project is tainted with illegalities and irregularities, and that it will lead to the privatization of public healthcare in Kenya.
“The project will lead to discrimination in the provision of health at KNH as the private hospital will be more equipped and staffed for profit to the detriment of the referral hospital,” KMPDU stated in its petition.
The union is seeking conservatory orders to bar the respondents from continuing with the project pending the hearing and determination of the case.
