Homabay Residents Reveal More Details on Controversial Nyandiwa Health Centre

Homabay County residents have denied receiving health services from the controversial Nyandiwa hospital that allegedly received nearly 20 million shillings in Social Health Authority (SHA) claims for July 2025.

Speaking to reporters, the residents have expressed shock and disbelief at revelations that the facility, which appears abandoned with barbed wire fencing, locked gates, and livestock grazing in the compound, could have processed such substantial health insurance claims.

Residents, who must travel four kilometers to Rachuonyo to access medical services, have expressed bewilderment at the payments.

"That is a surprise, breaking news to me. That is very, that is so concerning. How is it working? How is it funded? For what? When we talk about funds, we don't expect to come and see the cash; we expect to see the hospital working. So this is a waste project," said one resident.

The community has been waiting for nearly a decade for the health center to become operational, hoping it would address their healthcare challenges and create employment opportunities in the area.

Currently, residents face significant hardships accessing medical care, particularly during emergencies.

"We'll have treatment here because it is near us. We'll not walk this long distance, even at night. We'll just come when you have a problem instead of hiring a vehicle or a boda to take you to the hospital, because where the hospital is, you cannot walk on foot," another resident noted.

The revelations have prompted swift responses from health sector officials.

SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi has firmly rejected reports suggesting the authority disbursed funds to a non-operational facility, terming such reports as false and misleading.

According to Mwangangi, the confusion stems from the facility's complex operational history and administrative transitions.

The SHA boss clarified that Nyandiwa dispensary has been operational since the 1970s and was subsequently upgraded to Nyandiwa Level 4 Hospital.

“The abandoned structure shown in the media is one of the incomplete facilities built by a former County administration. It has never been contracted by SHA and has no transacting rights,” said Mwangangi.

The SHA has defended its payment verification processes, with Mwangangi assuring that the authority maintains rigorous verification procedures to safeguard public funds and strengthen health service delivery.

“The public can access all payments made to facilities on the SHA website, which are posted after each disbursement. These are not representative of one month’s claims, since the adjudication and verification process is continuous and happens at different stages,” she stated.