Government to push ahead with Sh1 billion Trans Nzoia Level 5 Hospital despite Governor Natembeya’s opposition

Government to push ahead with Sh1 billion Trans Nzoia Level 5 Hospital despite Governor Natembeya’s opposition

Natembeya has vowed to stop the construction of the Kitale Level V Hospital, accusing Ruto of interfering with county responsibilities.

The national government has vowed to proceed with the construction of a Level 5 hospital in Trans Nzoia County despite opposition from Governor George Natembeya, insisting that the project will go ahead to improve access to healthcare.

Speaking in Nandi on Sunday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen criticised the governor for opposing the Sh1 billion project launched by President William Ruto, saying it was wrong to block the construction of a facility intended to improve medical services for residents.

Murkomen said the national government was supporting the construction and improvement of hospitals in several parts of the country, including Samburu, Garissa and other areas in the northeastern region, to expand access to healthcare.

He cited Trans Nzoia as an example of a county where the national government had proceeded with a hospital project despite disagreements with the county leadership.

“I was shocked to hear the governor of Trans Nzoia say that the hospital you launched the other day, worth Sh1 billion and forming part of a referral hospital to be mentored by Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, would face opposition,” he said.

“People are really begging for health facilities. Others are saying watafanya maandamano kupinga maendeleo, what a shame! Really. It is something that I cannot even fathom.”

Latest Stories

• Nominated Senator Crystal Asige joins Winnie Odinga and Jalang’o in Nairobi Senate race
• Tusker FC suffer home defeat as Singida strike puts CAF Confederation Cup hopes at risk
• Ecuadorian priest dies after giant wooden crucifix crashes down on him during live-streamed Mass
• Ebola infections among Kenyan health workers raise safety concerns after treating Patient Zero

He added, “Meanwhile, the hospitals we are using, when someone goes there, they end up sinking into poverty, and people call it Shakahola.”

Murkomen emphasised that the national government would continue supporting hospital projects even where county governments were not cooperating.

“Your Excellency, you have built hospitals in many places. The other day, during the Cabinet meeting, you presented your programme, and there are hospitals being built in Samburu and in the northeastern region, including Garissa. You are supporting the construction of hospitals in these areas,” he said.

“Even in Trans Nzoia, despite the governor refusing to support the hospital, you have gone ahead and built a Level 5 hospital by force to ensure that people receive services in those areas, even when the county governments are not cooperating.”

Natembeya has vowed to stop the construction of the Kitale Level V Hospital, accusing Ruto of interfering with county responsibilities. He plans to camp at the site on Monday when the Kenya Army is expected to begin construction.

“I’m ready to die for telling the truth. They are going to construct the hospital over my dead body,” Natembeya said.

Speaking during the burial of former teacher John Simiyu in Birunda village, Kinyiro ward, on Friday, the governor insisted that healthcare matters should be left to county governments.

“Let the president leave county roles to governors. I will be at the site on Monday to ensure the construction does not kick off, and if they want to kill me, let them do so, but I’m not afraid of defending people’s rights,” the governor warned.

He questioned the funding of projects launched by Ruto and accused the government of using the provincial administration to intimidate elected leaders.

“We know there is no money to finance these projects the president is launching. What he is doing is all lies,” Natembeya said.

He also condemned the deployment of 2,500 General Service Unit officers in Kitale, citing the tear-gassing of Linda Mwananchi leaders led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

“It was shameful for the government to deploy 2500 GSU officers in Kitale to intimidate opposition leaders and supporters,” Natembeya said.

The governor further opposed the allocation of spaces at Kitale’s modern market to Ugandan traders.

“I’m not going to allow Ugandans allocated spaces at the market centre by the state to operate. When the county government constructed the facility, it had identified genuine traders to benefit,” he added.

Ruto, who launched the Sh1 billion hospital upgrade on Friday, blamed Natembeya for opposing the expansion of the existing facility, which residents have nicknamed “Shakahola” because of claims that few patients seeking treatment there survive.

“It is wrong that when the Government is working with counties to improve the provision of healthcare, the leadership of Trans Nzoia is instead buying coffins for the dead. This is a shame,” he said.

The 300-bed hospital is expected to be completed in eight months. It will have 32 intensive care and High Dependency beds, four theatres, emergency and outpatient departments, radiology and laboratory facilities, maternity and newborn wings, and surgical wards.

The project is expected to improve access to specialised healthcare, ease pressure on neighbouring hospitals and form part of a referral system supported by Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Ruto said funds were available for local health projects but accused the county leadership of obstructing national government development plans.