President Ruto’s move to finally break ground on the Sh50 billion Eldoret hospital signals a major political and development win for his administration after years of delay. The event allowed his allies to frame the project as proof of delivery, countering critics who accuse the government of neglect and empty promises. By placing KDF in charge, the government is projecting seriousness and efficiency while shielding the project from political interference. Rift Valley leaders used the moment to rally behind Ruto, paint opponents as obstructive, and reinforce the narrative of nationwide health-sector transformation. The hospital now becomes a flagship test of performance and timelines.
Health CS Aden Duale, after commissioning work on the new hospital project at Kiplombe in Eldoret/MATHEW NDANYILeaders in the Rift Valley have lauded President William Ruto for starting the construction of the Sh50 billion Moi Referral Multi-Speciality Hospital in Eldoret.
The project was conceived years ago, but delayed due to lack of funding and
politics.
Health CS Aden Duale presided over the start of construction for the 4,000-bed facility in Kiplombe near the Eldoret Airstrip, where the first 2,000-bed phase is expected to be completed within the next 18 months under the supervision of the Kenya Defence Forces.
Governors, MPs and senior health officials, including Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Dr Philip Kirwa and former CEO Dr Wilson Aruasa—now presidential adviser on health—attended the commissioning.
Aruasa, who was among those who
initially conceptualised the project, said he was relieved to see it finally
take off. He described the launch a major milestone for the country’s health
sector.
Duale said the hospital was part of Ruto’s long-held vision, dating back to his tenure as Deputy President, and maintained the facility would offer full specialist services in line with the government’s goal of achieving universal healthcare.
He said KDF oversight would ensure timely delivery and adherence to
standards, noting the military is managing similar projects in several counties.
The CS dismissed criticism of the administration’s development programmes and cited progress in SHA registration, with Bomet leading nationally and more than 27 million Kenyans already enrolled.
He also listed the President’s achievements in agriculture, housing
and education, accusing some leaders of choosing politics over facts.
Kirwa said the hospital was
poised to become the largest in Africa, with more than 15,000 people expected
to be involved in its construction and more than 6,000 healthcare workers eventually
employed. MTRH board chairperson Sitoyo Lopokoiyit said the project received Cabinet approval in 2014.
Regional leaders praised President Ruto’s development agenda, with Senator Jackson Mandago saying the administration had initiated work on 14 new referral hospitals nationwide.
He
rejected claims Eldoret was favoured because it is Ruto’s home region,
pointing to similar facilities underway in Bungoma, Kakamega and other
counties.
Health PS Ouma Oluga said the
new hospital would become a centre of excellence in clinical services,
research, training and national referral functions, and assured that the first
phase would be operational within the set timelines.
Governors Stephen Sang (Nandi) and Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet) attended alongside MPs Julius Ruto, David Kiplagat and Woman Representative Gladys Shollei.
Mandago reiterated the
project had stalled for a decade due to political sabotage, while Sang
criticised those who had previously sidelined regions now offering unsolicited
advice.
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