This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
On October 2019, the Kenyatta National Hospital Board announced plans to construct a Ksh.15 billion seven-storey private hospital to fund public services in the parent institution.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentist Union has taken issue with the decision, arguing that it has been undertaken without public participation and that the project is tainted with illegalities and irregularities.
The union claims that the project will lead to the privatization of public healthcare in Kenya and negatively affect the right to healthcare as guaranteed under the constitution.
According to the union, the private hospital will be more equipped and staffed for profit, to the detriment of the Kenyatta National Referral Hospital.
The union has filed a lawsuit in court, seeking conservatory orders to stop the project pending hearing and determination of the case.