Kenyatta University students on Sunday, April 30, held demonstrations along Thika Road demanding the government to change the ownership of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTTRH).
Speaking to the press, the students argued that they had not been given access to the facilities in the hospital for educational purposes despite the institution bearing a name similar to that of their university.
They lamented that they were forced to walk to Kiambu Referral Hospital, which is 15 kilometres, for treatment yet the hospital was close by.
In a statement by the Students’ Association Treasurer Jaffer Kasaya, the students issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to change the ownership and management of the hospital to the university to ensure that they were well facilitated.
Further, they expressed their fear that more than 2,000 medical students at the institution would be discontinued because they did not have the opportunities that they require to continue their education.
"The Kenyatta University student fraternity is in full disorder and fear. Our concern stems from the fact that our Medical School will be deregistered and over 2,000 students will be sent into the wilderness very soon.
“We humbly request the Kenya Government, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina and the KU management board to facilitate the surrender and return of KUTRRH to Kenyatta University unconditionally within 2 weeks failure to which unspecified action shall be exacted,” the statement read in part.
Some of the students who participated in the protest demanded the government change the hospital's name if the management could not hand it over to the university.
"We are tired of going to Kiambu yet we have our own hospital. A hospital that bares our name. If the government does not want to give us the hospital then it is only right that our name is removed from it," Calvin Obanyo, a KU student lamented.
At the same time, the students noted that there were no proper channels to inform them of internship and job opportunities at the hospital which they could take advantage of.
"We are saddened by the events at the hospital. As medical students, we are not even allowed to do our medical electives at the hospital.
"We also don't get any communication regarding internship opportunities available at the hospital knowing very well that KU is known for good research opportunities that we are now not able to access," Rachel Muthoni a student at the institution added.
On January 25, 2019, the President put the hospital as a parastatal under the Ministry of Health in a gazette notice separating the hospital with the University.
The move brought a twist as KUTRRH, as a parastatal would no longer be compelled to allow absolute accessibility to the university staff and students.
