Kenya: Uhuru launches construction of military referral hospital.

By Samuel Ouma

On Tuesday, August 30, President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of Kenya National Research and Referral  Hospital  (KNRRH) at Kabete Army Barracks, outskirts of Nairobi.

The level six hospital will have a 700-bed capacity and provide specialized services to the military and general public.   

Speaking during the ceremony, Kenyatta said the new project is part of sustained Government efforts to achieve the Universal Health Coverage pillar of the Big 4 development agenda.

Kenyatta added that the hospital is a landmark that will provide quality medical care for Kenya’s security personnel exposed to danger in the course of their duties.

“This is yet another milestone in ensuring that those of you who put your lives on line and in danger to protect your fellow citizens are assured of the best possible medical care that can possibly be given,” stated Kenyatta.

Kenya's Head of State also announced plans to open several other health facilities for the Kenya Defence Forces developed to serve frontline security personnel across the country.

“Very soon I will be opening a level four facility in Kahawa, and another one in Isiolo. We will begin work very soon, once Kahawa is done, to upgrade the Forces Memorial Hospital to a level five. We are proceeding to develop facilities in Eldoret, Garissa, Manda, Lamu, and other areas so that we ensure that those of you who are out there on the frontline are able to access quality healthcare closer to where you serve,”  he added.

The government will also roll out new health facilities and expand the existing ones.

“We will be opening some additional hospitals here in Nairobi to cater for our informal settlements. We are upgrading our various hospitals-Kenyatta National Hospital , Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, building new hospitals at Kenyatta University as well as a number of other hospital facilities that we shall be opening across the country to ensure that our people have access to healthcare which I believe is a foundation of a sound health secure and prosperous nation,” he said.

He was accompanied by Defence Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, NMS boss Mohammed Badi and Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi.