The National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, on Thursday, June 8, toured the Forces Referral and Research Hospital (FRRH) at Kabete, off Waiyaki Way in Nairobi.
The project is a state-of-the-art 700-bed medical facility that will serve the Kenya Defence Force (KDF), National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Officers from the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Kenya Coast Guard Services (KCGS), and National Youth Service (NYS), and their families would also benefit from the facility.
“Led by Committee Vice-Chair Bashir Abdullah (Mandera-North MP), members visited the facility to assess the progress made so far, the challenges faced, the opportunities available, and the value of the money expended on the project,” read part of a statement from Parliament.
The facility, estimated to cost Ksh19.3 billion, will have several specialized parts, such as a cancer centre, a medical school complex, an oxygen plant, an accident and emergency block, and a mortuary.
"Clearly this facility will be of benefit to our disciplined forces and even Members of the Public and it's important that it is completed," stated Bashir.
New Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, Lt. General Jonah Mwangi, who met the Committee for the first time since his promotion, pledged to work closely with the National Assembly to complete the project and other key undertakings by the KDF.
During a briefing by the KDF team undertaking the project, MPs sought clarifications on, among other issues, the funding status of the project, and its expected completion date.
Committee vice chair Bashir noted that the facility would be of great importance to the armed forces and pledged to rally the National Assembly to allocate necessary resources for its completion.
Gilgil MP Martha Wangari raised concern about the possibilities of members of the public accessing the facility and if they will be handled with priority.
“What will happen if members of the public visit this facility for medical attention, and if they will be given priority in receiving medical attention?” asked Wangari.
At the same time, the KDF team clarified that the public would be admitted on a referral basis.
