Olenguruone Hospital 64 Per Cent Complete As Kihika Revives Inherited Stalled Projects

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Governor Susan Kihika’s administration says it will complete the stalled Olenguruone Level IV Hospital within three months, reviving another inherited health project as the county faces scrutiny over delayed public investments worth billions of shillings.

The hospital in Amalo Ward, Kuresoi South sub-county, stalled in 2021 but is now 65 per cent complete after revival. Once operational, it is expected to reduce the distance locals travel to access diagnostic, rehabilitation, maternal and specialist services.

A joint team from the departments of Health and Public Works, together with other stakeholders, inspected the site yesterday to assess construction quality, confirm progress and identify what remains before the facility can be handed over.

Kihika has repeatedly said a change in administration should not mean publicly funded projects are abandoned, arguing that governors have a duty to complete viable projects inherited from their predecessors.

“A responsible governor is one who completes stalled projects inherited from previous administrations first because the funds belong to the public,” Kihika said.

The Olenguruone project is part of the county’s effort to revive delayed health infrastructure across Nakuru, where projects in Njoro, Molo, Naivasha, Bahati, Gilgil and Maai Mahiu were left unfinished by previous administrations.

A 2026 Auditor-General’s report identified 112 stalled projects in Nakuru County worth about Sh1.8 billion, most of them health infrastructure projects initiated during the previous regimes.

In January 2024, Governor Kihika ordered a multidisciplinary inspection of the delayed Maai Mahiu hospital project. The county later set aside Sh44 million for the remaining works and began the process of closing the existing contract and procuring completion works.

Construction of Level Four hospitals in Kuresoi North and Rongai was commissioned in late 2024 at a combined cost of Sh498 million. The Kuresoi North facility in Kiptororo Ward was allocated Sh248.2 million, while the Rongai hospital at Salgaa in Visoi Ward was budgeted at Sh249.8 million.

Once construction, equipping and staffing are complete, the Olenguruone facility will offer outpatient and laboratory services, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, consultation clinics, community oral healthcare, and maternal and child health services.

Gerald Maina, the county coordinator for health infrastructure, said the project would bring services closer to residents who have long had to travel to other hospitals for treatment.

“The county remains committed to completing this project and improving access to quality healthcare for Kuresoi South residents, ensuring essential medical services are brought closer to people,” Maina said.

The existing Olenguruone Sub-County Hospital is listed in the national health facilities registry as an operational Level Four facility in Amalo Ward. It operates 24 hours a day and has 24 inpatient beds, but the registry shows no general or maternity beds and no surgical theatre.

Governor Kihika said plans were underway to procure medical equipment for the facility. She added that the county had addressed staffing needs by hiring new health workers and confirming others on permanent and pensionable terms.