Kericho County Government has temporarily closed the Kericho County Referral Hospital to begin urgent renovation works, including the safe removal of hazardous asbestos roofing and the construction of a modern hospital kitchen. The handover ceremony to the appointed contractor was presided over by Governor Dr. Eric Mutai, who emphasized that the project would follow strict safety guidelines under the supervision of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The renovations aim to be completed within four to six weeks, significantly shorter than the initially proposed 16-week timeline, to minimize disruption to healthcare services.
The renovation works are part of a Cabinet-approved national public safety directive targeting aging public infrastructure containing asbestos, a known carcinogen. Governor Mutai highlighted that all operations would comply with the Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006, which outline proper handling and disposal of asbestos. To ensure continuity of care, medical staff have been redeployed to sub-county hospitals in Kapkatet, Sigowet, Londiani, and Roret, as well as to several health centers and private facilities. Support from partners such as the Walter Reed Project and Siloam Hospital has been enlisted to maintain critical services including tuberculosis treatment and blood donation programs.
Residents have been advised to maintain a safe distance of at least 30 meters from the hospital during the works, while a 24/7 County Emergency Call Centre has been activated to coordinate urgent care and ambulance services. Governor Mutai described the initiative as a key investment in the county’s health infrastructure, strengthening resilience and safeguarding long-term health outcomes. The hospital is among several facilities prioritized under the national asbestos eradication program, reflecting Kenya’s commitment to eliminating public health hazards linked to asbestos exposure.