By Suleiman Mbatiah
Residents of Njoro Sub-County are set to benefit from improved healthcare services after the Modern Outpatient and Inpatient Block at Njoro Sub-County Hospital entered its final completion phase, after years of delays.
The project, which had stalled for years due to contractual challenges, has been handed over to a new contractor. Works are now expected to be completed within the next three months.
The renewed Sh76 million investment aligns with the commitment by Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika to expand access to quality and affordable healthcare services across the county.
“Health remains the cornerstone of my administration’s development agenda. Since taking office, we have consistently allocated close to 40 per cent of the county’s annual budget to the health sector,” she said.
Chief Officer for Health Dr John Murima said the current phase will priorities functionality. He noted that mechanical and electrical installations are ongoing, alongside finishing works such as canopies and pavements.
The Governor launched construction of the Rongai, Kuresoi and Subukia Level Four hospitals and prioritized completion of stalled health facilities started by previous administrations across the county.
During the handover ceremony, Dr Murima said the facility will ease congestion at Nakuru County Referral Hospital while bringing critical services closer to residents.
“We are already planning for human resources for health to ensure staffing is in place once construction is complete and the facility is operationalized without delay,” he said.
Once completed, the hospital will host theatres, maternity wards, general wards, an emergency unit, dental services, ultrasound and X-ray services, and a radiology center offering specialized oncology services.
The facility is also expected to play a key role in responding to traffic accidents along the Sobea and Salgaa blackspots on the Nakuru–Eldoret highway, as well as the Njoro–Mau Narok and Njoro–Molo roads and other emergencies.
Chief Officer for Public Works Ken Mungai said the project will be closely supervised to ensure adherence to the approved work schedule and value for public funds.
He directed the new contractor to priorities sourcing labor locally from Njoro Sub-County, with a focus on engaging youth to promote inclusive development and community ownership.
Area MCA Ezekiel Kung’u welcomed the progress, thanking Governor Kihika’s administration for reviving and completing a project that was initiated by a previous administration but stalled before completion.
During her swearing-in, Governor Kihika pledged major healthcare investments to ensure all county residents access dignified, reliable and affordable services through better facilities, staffing and essential equipment.