Residents of Githima village in Kiptororo ward, Nakuru County, have expressed their frustration over the absence of a functional health facility. They report that the facility, completed in 2020, has been neglected and is now regarded as a ‘grazing field.’
Located at the border between Nakuru and Kericho counties, Githima village is in the northernmost part of Kiptororo, where locals lament the lack of essential infrastructure and services.
“The roads are in a poor state, with the closest tarmac road located in Chepseon, Kericho County,”Hezbon Kipngeno, a resident, said.
He continued, “Locals had been calling for the establishment of a medical facility, at the very least, a dispensary as the closest medical facility is several km away, which puts lives at risk in the case ofemergencies.”
Locals said that ever since the only available facility – Githima Dispensary – was completed in 2020, no equipment and staff have been deployed and the and on which it sits has been turned into a playground and grazing area for sheep.
“Residents have frequently questioned what may have kept it from being opened. When we have a government in place, four years is a long time for people to keep having difficulty navigating poor roads and far distances to receive health services,” Kipngeno said.
“Situations such as when expectant mothers have medical emergencies can turn fatal as they try to navigate the roads to reach the nearest health facility.”
Locals have called for action to be taken to make the dispensary functional and provide critical services.
