Marsabit Governor Mohamed Ali speaking at the forum in Moyale town./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Residents of Moyale town during the public participation
forum on the upcoming construction of a fully equipped Mother and Child unit at
Moyale Level IV Hospital./STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
Residents of Marsabit county have welcomed plans to construct a fully equipped Mother and Child Unit at Moyale Level 4 Hospital—a project they say will save lives and end years of suffering for expectant mothers.
During a public participation forum in Moyale town, leaders, community members and representatives from KeNHA, North Eastern Development Initiative (Nedi) and the World Bank hailed the project as a game changer for the region’s healthcare.
“This long-awaited project will transform maternal care in our region,” elder Abdi Shakur said.
“Mothers and children have long suffered from a lack of specialised services — this facility will change that.”
The facility will be funded by the World Bank under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project.
Resident Shamsia Hussein said the hospital handles more than 200 deliveries each month despite inadequate facilities.
“For years, women here have faced long, risky journeys—sometimes across the border—in search of proper care. This new unit will end that,” she said.
Another resident, Naomi Halakhe, highlighted the potential impact on maternal and infant mortality rates, which remain high in Marsabit.
“Many lives have been lost due to complications that could have been prevented. This hospital gives us hope that such tragedies will be history,” she said.
Governor Mohamed Ali praised the World Bank’s support, calling the hospital “a landmark achievement” that will ensure no mother or child is left behind.
He pledged continued investment in rural facilities, medical staff and equipment to close the county’s healthcare gap.
Simba Guleid, coordinator of the Nedi, said the project will position Moyale as a “regional hub for health excellence”.
Kenya National Highway Authority’s Eng Paul Omondi added that the complex’s benefits will extend beyond Kenya, serving parts of Ethiopia and neighbouring counties.
Construction is expected to begin soon, marking what many in Marsabit describe as the dawn of a new era for maternal and child healthcare.
Instant analysis
The upcoming construction of a fully equipped Mother and Child Unit at Moyale Level IV Hospital, funded by the World Bank under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, will end years of risky journeys for maternal care, ease overcrowding and reduce high maternal and infant mortality rates. Governor Mohamed Ali hailed it as a landmark achievement in bridging healthcare gaps, while Nedi and KeNHA officials called it a game-changer for the region. The hospital will also serve parts of Ethiopia, positioning Moyale as a regional hub for quality healthcare.
