Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has watered reports alleging that it will shut its doors to the public ahead of President-elect William Ruto's swearing-in ceremony.
In a statement dated Tuesday, August 13, KNH assured Kenyans that it would continue its operations as normal, offering both general as well as specialised medical services.
The hospital's management added that its critical and emergency services will be rendered to the Nairobi residents and citizens at large.
"Normal services for patients will continue. Those requiring medical attention or specialised clinics will be attended to in accident and Emergency, Pediatric Emergency Unit and Labor Ward.
"We are committed to providing specialised care to all patients all the time," the hospital reiterated.
Members of the public had raised concerns over the fate of individuals who needed urgent medical attention.
A number of Kenyans speculated that the shutdown was due to the public holiday gazetted to allow the nation to follow the change of guard.
"Medical services are some of the few non-discretionary services that should not stop - holiday or no holiday," a Kenyan tweep, Onyango Oliech opined.
"What does the inauguration have to do with healthcare? KNH is the biggest and most advanced referral hospital in the country and must operate 24/7!" Michael Mutinga added.
However, some noted that clinics offering specialized services such as Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Radiology and Obstetrics have always remained closed during national holidays.
"KNH clinics have never operated on holidays! For those who are familiar with 'clinic' meaning," Elkie Night argued.
The development comes within days of a system failure at the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) which saw subscribers turned away from hospitals.
