Over 2,000 attend free KDF medical camp in Uasin Gishu

A KDF officer escorting a patient during the free medical camp at Soy Health Centre in Uasin Gishu/MATHEWS NDANYI

More than 2,000 residents attended a two-day free medical camp organised by the Kenya Defence Forces at Soy Health Centre in Uasin Gishu County.

The Kenya Army Commander, Lieutenant General David Ketter, led the KDF team during the outreach held a few kilometres from the Moi Barracks Recruits Training College along the Eldoret–Kitale road.

Most of those who attended were elderly members from the surrounding community. From early morning, long queues formed outside the health facility as residents streamed in on foot and by boda boda to seek treatment.

A team of KDF doctors worked alongside county health officers to attend to patients on Monday and Tuesday, offering a wide range of services including dental, eye and general health care.

Ketter said the medical outreach was part of several community initiatives by KDF ahead of this year’s KDF Day celebrations, scheduled for October 14.

“We are happy to work with our neighbouring community. As we prepare for KDF Day, we thought it wise to reach out to our neighbours through this medical activity,” he said.

Ketter said KDF was also supporting other local projects, including the refurbishment of two primary schools and the improvement of a 21-kilometre road in the area.

“We have huge capacity within KDF that supports our soldiers and we also extend the same to the community through such medical camps and other programmes. This is part of sharing our experience and expertise with our people,” he said.

Uasin Gishu County officials, led by Roads Executive Abraham Serem, Youth and Sports Executive Robert Kemei, and Chief Officer for Health Paul Wangwe, accompanied Ketter.

Serem praised KDF for its outreach efforts. “We are proud of KDF and happy to work with them on various activities aimed at benefiting our communities — from healthcare and water provision to infrastructure development,” he said.

Residents welcomed the initiative, saying it brought much-needed relief to many who struggle to access medical care.

“We are happy that our soldiers have come out of the camp with such a noble idea of hosting this medical camp to help residents facing health challenges,” Paul Tanui, a resident said.

President William Ruto is expected to preside over the Kenya Defence Forces Day celebrations at Moi Barracks Recruits Training College on October 14.