A massive fire broke out at Kericho County Referral Hospital earlier today, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and prompting an urgent response from emergency services.
The blaze, reported in the late afternoon, has raised alarm across the region as authorities scramble to contain the situation at one of Kericho’s primary healthcare facilities.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as flames tore through sections of the hospital, forcing staff and patients to evacuate.
“We saw smoke billowing from the building, and people were running out in panic,” said a local resident near the scene.
The hospital, known for its advanced facilities including a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit, a 64-slice radiology unit, and a modern oxygen plant, is a critical lifeline for the county’s medical needs.
Firefighters are currently battling the inferno, with preliminary reports suggesting the cause remains unknown. Kericho County officials have yet to confirm the extent of the damage or any casualties, but sources indicate that efforts are underway to ensure the safety of all individuals inside the facility.
“We are doing everything possible to bring the situation under control,” a county emergency responder told reporters at the scene.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of the hospital following a recent scandal involving three unauthorized nurses found attending to patients, as reported earlier today by Nation Media Group.
Governor Eric Mutai has not yet commented on the fire but had previously vowed to tighten oversight of the hospital’s operations.
Residents and onlookers gathered near the site expressed shock and concern. “This is our main hospital. If it’s gone, where will we go?” one Kericho citizen lamented. A
Authorities have urged the public to stay clear of the area as emergency operations continue.
Kericho referral hospital on fire pic.twitter.com/12WY6HJUvq
— PropesaTV (@PropesaTV) February 28, 2025
