The government is set to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Kakamega this week to oversee the construction of the a hospital in Kakamega.
In a statement on Sunday, July 13, the KDF confirmed that the officers will be deployed next week, to oversee the six-month construction of Kakamega Level 6 Hospital, whose construction is set to be complete within the next six months.
Level 6 hospitals are the highest level in the country's healthcare system, and are managed by the national government and offer tertiary-level care. Upon completion, the facility will be among the very few facilities in the country.
Currently in Kenya, there are eight Level 6 hospitals including Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH), Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu, and Mathari National Teaching & Referral Hospital.
Others include National Spinal Injury Referral Hospital, Nakuru Level 6 Hospital, and Kisii Teaching & Referral Hospital.
The officers are also overseeing other infrastructural developments in Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties. They are also overseeing the construction of the 10,000-seater Kipchoge Sports Stadium at the Kapsabet Show Ground in Nandi County.
KDF confirmed that the officers are also overseeing the construction of the 15,000-seater Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, in Uasin Gishu county, which is in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
"The Principal Secretary for Defence, Patrick Mariru, recently conducted a day-long inspection tour of key Government priority infrastructure projects in Kakamega, Nandi, and Uasin Gishu Counties," KDF stated.
"The projects, being implemented under the oversight of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), form part of President William Ruto’s directive for accelerated delivery of flagship national developments," it added.
According to the Defence Principal Secretary, Patrick Mariru, the projects, which are being executed under the directive of President William Ruto, will be fundamental in streamlining critical sectors in the region.
The announcement comes a month after the Ministry of Defence revealed that KDF troops will be deployed in Siaya County to oversee the construction of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium and the modernisation of the Siaya Level 5 Hospital.
According to the Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, the establishment of the two facilities will be critical in boosting the county's economy and infrastructural capacity.
"Discussed opportunities for collaboration between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Siaya County Government in infrastructure development and maritime security with Governor James Orengo at Defence Headquarters," the CS said in a statement on Wednesday, June 11.
