Five people, including three directors of the War Memorial Hospital and two senior officials from the Ministry of Lands Nairobi office, have been arrested bringing to light a new twist to the ownership of the hospital.

The five were arrested for allegedly forging the hospital's land documents. They are currently being held at the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Nakuru.

A police source who spoke to Mtaa Wangu said four of them were arrested in Naivasha and taken to the regional DCI offices for interrogation. One of the suspects, who was also arrested by police, is yet to arrive at the DCI offices.

Read: The war at War Memorial Hospital, that has left hospital managers and the county government in a stalemate

The source also revealed that the individuals were being questioned about their involvement in the alleged falsification of land documents that led to the extension of the hospital's lease for another 50 years.

One of the directors of War Memorial hospital being escorted to DCI offices in Nakuru after being arrested in relation to the forgery of land documents of the hospital.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

According to an earlier statement issued by the hospital management, the hospital had leased the 25-acre piece of land for a period of 99 years, which expired in 2021.

But the lease extension has led to an ugly ownership dispute between the hospital management and the Nakuru County government.

While the hospital claims to have followed due process in acquiring the lease extension when the original lease expired, the county government has rejected it as a forgery.

Reacting to the arrest, Nakuru County Secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura said the county had lodged a complaint with the DCI over the forgery of documents and the unlawful extension of the hospital's lease.

Read: Nakuru war memorial hospital: Where it all begun

He noted that he was not aware of the charges the arrested individuals would be facing. However, he noted that the arrest was a step forward in ensuring that the people of Nakuru get justice.

He emphasised that the land should be returned to the county as public interest should prevail over private interest.

"It is good that the DCI detectives have made progress on the complaints lodged by the county. Our hope is that the land will be returned to the people and those involved in the illegal lease extension will face the law," said Dr Mwaura.

He claims that the county had refused to renew the hospital's land lease only to find out later that it had obtained documents through fraudulent means.

His views were echoed by Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama, who praised the police for handling the land dispute and making the arrests.

Watch: Video: What is the Nakuru war memorial takeover and why is it happening now?

"There is need to protect public property from being grabbed. I support the county's move to get this land back in the interest of the public," said Mr Arama.

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War Memorial Hospital ownership battle takes a new twist as five people are arrested

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