As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Saba Saba Day protests, Kitengela town finds itself at the center of growing outrage following the shocking vandalism of Kitengela Sub-County Hospital.
The facility, a vital lifeline for thousands in Kajiado County, was left in disarray after protestors stormed the compound, damaging property, looting medical supplies, and forcing emergency services to a halt.
According to eyewitnesses and hospital staff, the attack occurred mid-morning when a group of protestors, reportedly infiltrated by criminal elements, veered off the main demonstration route and descended on the hospital. “They broke windows, overturned equipment, and even tried to access the pharmacy,” said a senior nurse who was on duty. “We had to rush patients to safety. It was terrifying.”
The incident, which came amid nationwide demonstrations over economic hardships and governance concerns, has triggered a sharp response from both county officials and residents.
Kajiado County Health Executive, Jane Lengapiani, condemned the attack in the strongest terms and demanded that those responsible be brought to book. “Targeting a hospital, especially one serving the most vulnerable, is both cowardly and criminal,” she stated during a press briefing.
Preliminary estimates place the damage at several million shillings, with critical infrastructure, including maternal care units and diagnostic equipment, reportedly affected. Emergency services have since been partially restored, though hospital management admits it may take weeks to fully recover operations.
The county government has now called on the National Police Service to not only fast-track investigations but also to heighten security around public facilities during times of unrest. “Our hospitals must be protected. This cannot be allowed to happen again,” emphasized Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku.
As Kenyans reflect on the outcomes of this year’s Saba Saba demonstrations, the vandalism at Kitengela Hospital underscores the delicate balance between civic expression and public safety, and the dire consequences when that balance is shattered.
