State Takes Over Kakamega Hospital Project, Set to Elevate Facility to National Referral Status

State Takes Over Kakamega Hospital Project, Set to Elevate Facility to National Referral Status
The national government has officially taken over the completion of the Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital, paving the way for its upgrade to a national referral facility. President William Ruto, who toured the construction site on Sunday, announced that the government has set aside KSh1 billion to accelerate the project over the next ten months. The President described the initiative as a critical investment in strengthening healthcare delivery in Western Kenya, noting that the completed hospital will serve as a Level Six facility offering advanced medical care to millions of residents across neighbouring counties.
The Head of State revealed that the revamped hospital will be fitted with modern medical technology comparable to that found in other national institutions such as Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. He added that the facility will complement ongoing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) efforts, including new regional hubs taking shape in Kisumu and Eldoret. To support both progress and local empowerment, President Ruto directed the contractor to hire at least 1,000 youth from surrounding communities. The project, first launched in 2016 during the tenure of former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and sustained by Governor Fernandes Barasa, reflects what the President termed development beyond politics, emphasising that public projects should continue seamlessly across administrations.
Local leaders and residents have welcomed the renewed national commitment, saying the hospital’s completion will ease the heavy burden of referrals to Nairobi and Eldoret while stimulating economic growth in the region. Governor Barasa pledged full cooperation with the national government to ensure timely delivery, noting that the upgraded facility will offer specialised care, training opportunities for health professionals, and space for research and innovation. Also present during the inspection were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and senior Cabinet members, signalling strong national backing for the project. Once operational, the hospital is expected to transform Western Kenya into a major medical hub, expanding access to world-class healthcare for communities that have long faced gaps in specialised services.