Marsabit set to benefit from new KSh 29 Billion health infrastructure programme

By Silvio Nangori

Residents of Marsabit County are set to benefit from improved access to specialised healthcare following the government’s plan to construct a new 300-bed Level 5 County Referral Hospital as part of a nationwide KSh 29 billion health infrastructure programme.

The project was discussed during a high-level consultative meeting chaired by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, which brought together national and county government leaders to review plans for the construction of 13 new Level 5 comprehensive county referral hospitals across the country.

Marsabit is among the counties selected to host the new facilities, alongside Mandera, Turkana, Embu, Migori, Nyamira, Baringo, Nakuru, Bomet, Narok, Kisii, Laikipia and Kilifi.

According to the Ministry of Health, the new hospitals will help expand access to quality and specialised healthcare services while supporting Kenya’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage. The facilities will be equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment equipment, at least 16 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and 10 High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds.

The ministry noted that the selection of beneficiary counties was guided by factors including population size, disease burden, existing health infrastructure and available financing opportunities.

For Marsabit residents, the proposed hospital is expected to reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to referral facilities in other counties for specialised treatment and critical care services.

Health CS Aden Duale emphasised the need for close collaboration between the national and county governments to ensure timely implementation of the project. He called for early identification of potential challenges and urged counties to prepare land, approvals, utilities, staffing and operational plans ahead of construction.

Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali attended the meeting alongside governors from other beneficiary counties, senior Ministry of Health officials and representatives of county governments.

The government says the investment will strengthen healthcare services across the country, bring specialised treatment closer to communities and ease pressure on national referral hospitals.