The government is investing Sh490 million in the establishment of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Karuri Campus and construction of student accommodation in Kiambaa Constituency.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki inspected construction work at the campus on Tuesday as part of a tour of government-funded development projects in Kiambu County.

The KMTC campus will cost Sh200 million, of which Sh70 million has already been released for the construction of administration and tuition blocks, a library and skills laboratories.

The Housing Fund will separately finance a 580-bed student hostel at a cost of Sh290 million. The accommodation is expected to support students enrolled at the institution once the campus becomes operational.

“The government will provide the support required to ensure this project is completed on time. “The Karuri Campus will expand training opportunities for medical professionals and strengthen the workforce needed to support universal health care,” Kindiki said.

He said trained medical personnel were needed to provide facility-based care, including attending to patients referred to health facilities by community health promoters.

The National Government, working with county governments, recruited 107,000 Community Health Promoters three years ago to provide preventive and basic healthcare services at the household level and connect residents with health facilities.

During the tour, the Deputy President also inspected road projects in Kiambaa Constituency and reviewed the implementation of the wider road programme in Kiambu County.

The Government has earmarked 1,656 kilometres of roads for tarmacking across the county at an estimated cost of Sh152 billion. Of these, 368 kilometres have been completed at a cost of Sh20 billion.

Kindiki said the government would continue supporting road and health projects in Kiambu County to improve access to essential services and strengthen connections between communities, learning institutions, health facilities and markets.

by Kipkorir Felix and Grace Naishoo