The equipment was donated by the US-based Unlimited Gospel Ministries to bolster healthcare services at the hospital.
The hospital is a new facility that is yet to be fully completed and has cost the county over Sh2 billion since it was initiated during the tenure of former Governor Patrick Khaemba. Natembeya took over the completion and equipping of the hospital.
Natembeya praised the church-government partnership, saying the US-based ministry had honoured its commitments under an earlier memorandum of understanding.
“Many friends visit my office with pledges but never return. This ministry fulfilled its word,” he said.
The governor said the county had built new health facilities, including Tom Mboya Mother and Child Hospital, Kwanza subcounty hospital, and Matunda and Kachibora hospitals since 2022, but noted that many of them still require equipping. He said some of the donated tools would help operationalise the facilities.
Natembeya criticised delays by the national government to release Social Health Authority reimbursements, warning that counties may be forced to ask patients to pay cash for services.
He said hospitals are owed millions of shillings and continue to face shortages of nurses, doctors and clinical officers due to limited resources for recruitment.
The governor assured residents of continued investment at Wamalwa Kijana Hospital, including plans for an amenity wing to be put up soon.
Finance and economic planning executive Dr Wanjala Pepela and health executive Lorot Kerior welcomed the collaboration between the county and faith-based organisations led by Bishop Warren, urging other well-wishers to extend similar support.
Hospital board chairman Prof Ferdinand Nang’ole said the donation included bariatric, paediatric, ICU and birthing beds, as well as wheelchairs for both Wamalwa Kijana Hospital and subcounty facilities.
He commended the county administration for strengthening equipment programmes and pushing towards top-tier healthcare aligned with the universal health coverage agenda.
Prof Nang’ole also announced the appointment of Dr Lilian Lipesa as the new medical superintendent and urged staff to support her leadership.
Unlimited Gospel Ministries representative Bishop Rutto said the partnership is anchored on goodwill and a shared vision.
“My work is to hand over this equipment,” he said, adding that the collaboration between the church and health professionals was essential.
“We need one another and spiritual guidance must go together with practical action,”he said.
The event was attended by county secretary Truphosa Amere, chief officers Dr Judith Simiyu (health) and Omar Ndiema (trade and industrialisation), board members Ronald Griffin Wasilwa and Teresia Metto, hospital director Dr Isaac Kisiang’any and other senior county officials.
