KDF, Murang’a partner to build ultra-modern 100-bed hospital wing
Bernard Munyao- KNA
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in partnership with Murang’a County Government has embarked on the construction of a 100-bed hospital wing at Kenneth Matiba Hospital in Makenji, Kandara Sub-County.
The project, comprising the construction of a state-of-the-art trauma centre and a doctors’ plaza, is expected to be completed within six months.
The Defence Principal Secretary, Patrick Mariru and Muranga County Governor, Irungu Kang’ata, commissioned the construction of the ultra-modern health facility that will revolutionize health-care service delivery in parts of Murang’a South.
Speaking during a groundbreaking event, Governor Kang’ata highlighted the strategic importance of the expansion, saying the trauma centre would operate 24 hours a day and play a crucial role in managing road accident emergencies across the region.
“This trauma centre will not only operate around the clock but will also be critical in handling accident cases from within and beyond Murang’a. It’s a timely investment for our people,” Kang’ata said.
The governor noted the hospital is located along the busy Thika – Kenol highway thus suitably located to handle victims of road carnage.
Kenneth Matiba Hospital, which had been launched late last year, initially had a bed capacity of only 20; however, the expansion project was set to raise this number to 120 translating into a fivefold increase in the hospital’s capacity to serve patients effectively.
Kang’ata spotlighted the efforts his administration is making to improve health service delivery by constructing new dispensaries and health centres and also renovating and upgrading existing hospitals.
Kang’ata lauded the collaboration between the national and county governments, revealing that the county had already provided land for construction of the new hospital building.
He added that Kenneth Matiba Hospital had initially been hosted in a rental premise, but his administration had constructed a health facility at Makenji, to which the hospital was subsequently relocated. He noted that they had aimed to expand the hospital to a Level 5 status.
On his part, the Principal Secretary Mariru affirmed the commitment of the national government in supporting devolved units to achieve significant development.
Mariru noted the construction of the new buildings at the hospital will be done by KDF and that the entire project is fully funded by the national government.
Mariru remarked that it had been part of a broader plan to enhance health infrastructure across counties, and that similar projects had been rolled out in Meru, Ol Kalou in Nyandarua, Kiambu, and Siaya to be precise.
Meanwhile Kang’ata announced that the county is set to benefit from additional government investment, including the proposed construction of a 10,000-seater Mumbi Stadium in Murang’a town to support local sports and talent development.
The governor added that Sports PS Elijah Mwangi is expected to spearhead the construction of another stadium in Murang’a south further boosting local sports and infrastructure development.
PS Mwangi, who was present during the groundbreaking ceremony of the hospital, noted that his ministry, in collaboration with the Murang’a County Government, had been actively exploring a suitable location for the construction of a second stadium, following the successful establishment of Mumbi Stadium in the Murang’a South region.