A recent Senate report has exposed a scandalous case of resource mismanagement and bureaucratic neglect. A state-of-the-art Level 4 hospital, constructed for the National Police Service (NPS) at a cost of Sh1.2 billion, remains a ghost facility, fully equipped but completely non-operational years after its completion. The facility, intended to provide dedicated and crucial medical services to police officers and their families, has become a symbol of a system that fails to prioritize the welfare of those who serve and protect the country.
The hospital, located along Mbagathi Road in Nairobi, was commissioned in 2021 under the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. According to the Auditor General's report, its construction and equipping were finalized in the 2022/2023 financial year. The facility is fully stocked with modern medical machines, including ICU and HDU equipment, as well as theatre, maternity, and radiography units. However, these life-saving machines have been lying idle since their installation in 2022, a clear sign of a profound failure to ensure the facility serves its intended purpose.
The delays are particularly alarming given the perilous situations police officers face in the line of duty, often requiring specialized healthcare. During an inspection tour in April 2025, the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security found a facility that was, by all accounts, ready for service but inexplicably stalled. Mr. Opil, the officer in charge, cited "pending issues with the contractor" as a primary reason for the non-operational status, and also revealed a significant outstanding balance of over Sh833 million from the total project cost.
The shocking discovery of a fully-equipped hospital sitting idle while police officers and their families lack adequate medical care raises serious questions about accountability and resource wastage. The government's investment of over Sh1 billion was meant to provide a dedicated healthcare solution for the NPS, a strategic commitment to their well-being. Instead, the facility has become an expensive white elephant, a stark reminder of the consequences of bureaucratic red tape and a lack of urgency.
