The Nairobi City County Public Health department has moved to court seeking orders of close Panari Hotel along Mombasa Road following a cholera outbreak at the establishment. A petition filed at the City Hall courts wants the hotel’s management compelled to close it down after 22 people were admitted to hospital with cholera symptoms on July 20, 2017. After investigations, the Ministry of Health found that one case was confirmed after a worker at the hotel tested positive for cholera.

Those affected by the infection were 20 NIC Bank staff who had a workshop at the hotel on the said date when they were rushed to various hospitals in the city for treatment. The hotel has received closure notice from both the national government and City Hall but has declined to close it until comprehensive inspection is done. In a letter to the former Governor Evans Kidero dated July 22, 2017 the Ministry of Health stated that two people who had been admitted to Mater Hospital claimed to have eaten fish and salad from the Panari Hotel. “There were approximately 20 people who attended a one-day workshop on July 20, 2017 which was supported by NIC bank and Chloride Exide. An investigation team comprising of officers from the Ministry of Health and Nairobi County confirmed that the workshop took place. It was further observed that some key health elements were not put in place,’” read the letter signed by Principal Secretary Julius Korir.