A nursing and maternity home whose foundation stone was laid more than three decades ago has been demolished in Nakuru following a court battle over the land on which it stood.

Baraka Nursing and Maternity Home were brought down on Tuesday, November 3, after new owners moved to reclaim the premises following a dispute involving its operator, Dr Andrew Ochoki, and the Nakuru Muslim Association.

The demolition ended operations at the facility, which had been providing maternity and other healthcare services to residents.

A foundation stone at the premises bore an inscription indicating that the nursing and maternity home was dedicated on June 27, 1993, by Mr G.H. Gilani in memory of his late wife, Sherbanu G. Gilani.

Baraka Nursing and Maternity Home that was demolished on November 3

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

Ochoki, who operated the facility, says he started the hospital in 1999, six years after the foundation stone was laid.

The two dates point to a history that predates Ochoki's involvement, although the circumstances surrounding the transition in management and the beginning of his operations have yet to be established.

The dispute that culminated in the demolition arose after the lease under which Ochoki operated the facility expired. The property owner subsequently sold the premises, leading to a legal dispute over occupation of the land.

The Nakuru Muslim Association took Ochoki to court and secured a ruling in its favour, paving the way for the new owners to reclaim the property.

Ochoki says he received the court order on Sunday, November 1, two days before the demolition, and on the day of demolition claimed goons having been sent to do the work.

By then, patients had already been informed to leave the premises or seek healthcare services elsewhere. Some were referred to other facilities as preparations were made to vacate the hospital.

As the building came down, people gathered at the premises to salvage materials, with pieces of wood and other reusable items taken away from the site.

Baraka Nursing and Maternity Home that was demolished on November 3

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

Meanwhile, lorries were seen ferrying hospital equipment out of the premises as the demolition continued.

Data from the Ministry of Health's Kenya Master Health Facility Registry lists Baraka as a Level Three health facility with 12 inpatient beds, six of which were designated for maternity services.

The facility was also listed as providing services including antenatal care, family planning and immunization.

Its closure comes amid other disruptions involving healthcare facilities in Nakuru, although the circumstances surrounding them differ.

War Memorial Hospital, another facility in the county, was caught up in a separate land ownership dispute involving the county government. In October 2026, the Environment and Land Court ruled that the county's forcible takeover of the property was illegal.

Mediheal Hospital, meanwhile, experienced financial difficulties, including disputes over unpaid doctors and debts.

Inside the decade long dispute that led to the demolition of Baraka Nursing Home

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Leleti Jassor