The government is set to reopen a multi-billion hospital, six years after it collapsed and the flower company it served was shut down.
A report by KBC on Wednesday, April 15, detailed that Karuturi Flower Farm Hospital, Naivasha had been identified as an isolation facility by the Ministry of Health, as Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in rural counties increased with 21 counties registering cases by April 14.
Authorities say the hospital will be refurbished to resume operations with a key advantage being that it was well equipped before it was shut down in 2014.
The County Government of Nakuru, under Governor Lee Kinyanjui, was optimistic that the once ultra-modern facility would serve to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“The ministry has been going around the county identifying facilities that can be turned into isolation wards and this one is ideal," John Kamau, from the department of health stated.
This was after MOH officials toured and inspected the facility located 30 kilometres from Naivasha town.
"This facility had wards and beds and it can serve as an isolation ward in Nakuru and the county is fully behind this idea," area MCA Peter Pallang'a assured, lauding the government for its efforts.
The MCA further disclosed that the county had liaised with the farm owners and discussed the reopening of the hospital which served thousands of Naivasha residents.
Before its slump, Karuturi Flower Farm offered employment to thousands of Kenyans in Nakuru County and was one of the leading flower exporters in Africa. The multi-billion business however withered after its owner Sai Ramakrishna Karuturi faced multiple charges of tax fraud, illegal land ownership and accrued debts.
Several court cases in 2018, saw Karuturi’s assets listed for auction over Ksh1.8 billion debt. The farm was also marred with reports of unpaid salaries to employees, with some claiming that they were owed up to Ksh 300,000.
In early April 2020, MOH and Nakuru County Government had also identified Kenya Wildlife Service training institute in Naivasha and listed a plan to set it up as an isolation centre too.
