Questions Mount Over Langas Racecourse Nursing Home Amid Claims on Land Ownership, Public Supplies and Medical Charges
Among the most serious allegations is that despite operating as a private hospital, the facility allegedly receives medical supplies bearing Government of Kenya (GoK) markings.
Photos by Mahlon Lichuma.
Questions are mounting over the ownership and operations of the Langas Racecourse Nursing Home and Palliative Care Unit after a human rights activist and Langas residents issued a fourteen-day ultimatum to the national and county governments to investigate the facility.
The controversy erupted on Monday, 27th July 2026, after human rights activist Benson Juma Akumu, accompanied by local community leaders, visited the institution to seek clarification on a host of irregularities raised by residents. According to Akumu, instead of addressing the concerns, he was branded a “goon” and denied answers.
Among the most serious allegations is that despite operating as a private hospital, the facility allegedly receives medical supplies bearing Government of Kenya (GoK) markings. Akumu wants to know how a private institution can benefit from public medical supplies while reportedly not offering services under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“We have information that this facility, which claims to be private, receives drugs marked GoK. If it is private, how does it get government supplies without offering SHA services? The public deserves answers,” Akumu said.
He further alleges that community members have complained of exorbitant medical costs, including high consultation fees for pregnant mothers. Even vaccination services, which are supposed to be offered free of charge in public facilities, are reportedly charged at the Langas facility.
Disputed Public Land
The row over the hospital’s land has also taken centre stage. Millicent Achieng’, a resident of Langas and a Community Health Promoter (CHP), claimed that the land on which the hospital stands was initially donated for public community use.
According to Achieng’, the parcel measured about eight hectares, with a portion later reserved for a police post. She questioned how the remainder ended up being used to construct what is now described as a private health centre.
“If the hospital is indeed privately owned as has been stated, then the public needs to know how a private entity ended up occupying public land,” she said.
Achieng’ called on the National Government to intervene, arguing that the matter appears to be beyond the County Government since some officers working at the hospital are reportedly on the County Government payroll. Her sentiments were echoed by fellow resident Violet Rodah, who demanded prompt action from Nairobi.
Changing Names and Church Links
Akumu also raised concerns about the facility’s history, noting that it has undergone three name changes since its establishment in the 1980s. He said it was initially known as Langas Community Health Center before being renamed to Langas Racecourse Nursing Home and Palliative Care Unit.
He believes the constant rebranding could be a deliberate attempt to erase its community identity and ownership.
The activist further mentioned retired Bishop Sangok of the Reformed Church and retired Bishop Kogo of the Anglican Church of Kenya, questioning their role in the management of the hospital. “Who are you representing in relation to this institution?” Akumu posed, demanding transparency in governance.
Former Eldoret National Polytechnic student leader Brian Akoth also weighed in, decrying what he termed excessive charges at the hospital and lamenting that students from the institution have not been accorded industrial attachment opportunities.
Journalists Barred
Journalists who covered the incident reported a hostile reception. According to the reporters, hospital staff told them they could neither take photos nor videos, arguing that it is a private institution. Efforts to get a comment from the hospital management were also unsuccessful, with staff claiming they had no authority to link them to administrators.
Akumu has now given both the national and county governments 14 days to investigate and clarify the status of the facility in terms of ownership, management, land acquisition, and public accountability.
Editor’s Note: The allegations contained in this article are based on claims made by Benson Juma Akumu and residents interviewed during the proceedings on July 27, 2026. As at the time of publication, the management of Langas Racecourse Nursing Home & Palliative Care Unit had yet to respond to the accusations after journalists were unable to secure an interview with its administrators.
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