Westwick director denies operating unlicensed nursing school
By Mathew.Ndungu, May 9, 2024
A Nairobi nursing college is fighting claims of operating without registration.
Kiambu Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Meresia Opondo (pictured) on Tuesday released the Westwick College Director Nyambura Muturi with a cash bail of Sh300,000 or an alternative bond of Sh500,000 and one surety of a similar amount for obtaining money and providing nursing certificate courses at an institution lacking accreditation.
Nyambura Muturi, also known as Christine Lewis, the director of Westwick College, denied the charges.
She was accused of obtaining Sh1,959,000 from seven individuals by inducing them to pay as college fees for a certified nursing assistant course at the college.
“On diverse dates between January 20, 2023, and February 27, 2024, in Gigiri area within Nairobi county, jointly with others not before court being the director of Westwick Institute Ltd, offered training in Certified Nurse Assistant without accreditation, licensing and registration by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority,” read part of the charge sheet.
Out on bail
The charges stated that between March 24, 2023 and April 30, 2023 in Gigiri area within Nairobi County jointly with others not before court by using fraudulent tricks, induced Gina Nuta to pay a sum of Sh250,000 to an account domiciled at Kenya Commercial Bank pretending that she was in a position to train and issue her with a certificate in Certified Nurse Assistance from Westwick Institute Limited which is not accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority.
She is also accused of obtaining Sh428,500 from Sally Wanjiru between January 20, 2023, and July 28, 2023, by inducing her that she could be trained and issued with a certificate in certified nursing assistant course from the college that is not accredited by TVET.
She denied the charges and pleaded with the court to give her lenient bond terms. The court granted her wish to seek treatment and she stayed at Nairobi Hospital for medication until she got released on bail.
On Tuesday, the court was supplied with verified documents to confirm that the institute is indeed allowed to operate as it continues with the accreditation process.
“We are in court to confirm that the certificates of the college are authenticated and to seek court’s satisfaction with the compliance of the college to offer such training,” the court heard.