LDP Warns of Imminent Collapse at Kenyatta National Hospital, Blames Governance Failures
Nairobi — The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has raised alarm over what it describes as the imminent collapse of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), warning that continued mismanagement at the country’s largest referral and teaching hospital poses a serious national emergency.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the party said the crisis at KNH was not accidental but the result of “gross incompetence, entrenched corruption, and misappropriation of public resources” meant for healthcare delivery, medical supplies, infrastructure, and staff welfare.
According to the LDP, these failures have pushed the hospital to the brink, placing millions of Kenyans—especially vulnerable patients—at risk.
KNH serves as Kenya’s premier national referral facility and a key training center for health professionals. Persistent challenges at the hospital, including shortages of supplies, staff discontent, and financial strain, have repeatedly drawn public concern.
The LDP placed full responsibility for the situation on the government, arguing that repeated warnings from healthcare workers, professional associations, and members of the public have gone unheeded.
Instead of decisive intervention, the party said, authorities have allowed mismanagement to continue, steadily eroding the hospital’s financial stability and human capacity.
The party also criticized what it termed the politicization of the public service, alleging that senior government officials have been diverted from their constitutional responsibilities to serve partisan political interests. Such actions, the LDP said, represent a violation of public trust at a time when the health sector is under severe strain.
In a broader political critique, the party dismissed what it described as empty political slogans dominating national discourse, arguing that both the ruling party and sections of the opposition are more focused on political chants than on addressing urgent governance challenges.
The LDP said its focus is on “working prototypes” that deliver healthcare efficiently, transparently, and accountably.
Presenting itself as a technocratic and merit-based alternative, the party called for immediate corrective measures to stabilize KNH.
Among its demands are urgent financial and administrative intervention to ensure hospital funds are directly accessible to KNH, a transparent and independent forensic audit of all funds allocated to and generated by the hospital, and accountability for individuals found responsible for mismanagement or diversion of resources.
The LDP further called for an end to the use of public servants for partisan political activities and urged a shift from political theatrics to practical governance, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare.
“Healthcare is a constitutional right, not a political talking point,” the statement said, adding that the continued deterioration of the national hospital reflects a leadership failure that must be urgently addressed.
The statement was issued by the Liberal Democratic Party through its presidential aspirant, Prof. Fred Ogola, who said the party stands with healthcare workers, patients, and all Kenyans demanding integrity, competence, and functional public institutions.