Aerial view of the proposed Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital at Milimabi in Kakamega on Friday/IMAGE /HILTON OTENYO

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa says the Sh6.2 billion Kakamega Level 6 Hospital, whose construction stalled for more than three years, will be commissioned before the end of the year.

Barasa said the 750-bed facility was 90 per cent complete following the handover of the project to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in October 2025 to oversee completion of the first phase through a partnership between the national and county governments.

The governor inspected the construction works on Friday and said the contractor had committed to completing the works by November 30.

“The facility will have 14 theatres, CT Scan, X-ray services and many other advanced services, and will be officially commissioned by President William Ruto before the year ends,” Barasa said.

He added that it was one of the many successful partnerships the county had had with the national government.

The governor said the hospital would employ 3,000 people in various departments once it was completed and operational.

The project was among the flagship initiatives started by former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya but stalled for more than three years before being handed over to the Ministry of Defence on October 13, 2025.

The remaining works include completion of construction at Block A, internal and external finishes, remedial works, external civil works and installation and completion of electrical, mechanical and other support services.

Once operational, the hospital is expected to serve as a regional referral and teaching facility, providing specialised medical services, while training healthcare professionals.

It is also expected to promote medical tourism in the region, with modern diagnostic and treatment units, operating theatres, maternity and neonatal wings, intensive care units and a medical training school.

Currently, residents of Western Kenya seeking specialised medical treatment often travel to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu or Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.

The completion of the Kakamega facility is expected to expand access to specialised healthcare closer to home.