Health CS Aden Duale on Monday commissioned the construction of the new 4,000-bed Moi Referral Multi-speciality hospital in Eldoret, which is expected to cost over Sh50 billion.
Duale commissioned construction work to be supervised by KDF at Kiplombe near the Eldoret Airstrip, where the first phase of the hospital will be completed within the next 18 months.
The first phase of the facility will have a 2,000-bed capacity, and another similar capacity to be done later.
Duale commissioned the project as per a directive from President William Ruto, who wants the facility completed within the set time.
The CS said the hospital was President Ruto’s vision since the time he was Deputy President, but it could not start because of politics.
He said the hospital will offer all expert services as part of President Ruto’s vision to ensure Kenyans enjoy universal healthcare.
Duale said the project was being supervised by KDF to ensure it’s done within the set time and to the expected standards.
He said KDF was strict on delivery and would not entertain laxity during implementation of the project.
He said KDF was supervising similar projects in most counties and noted that Kenyans should avoid politicising development programmes.
Duale noted that Bomet was currently the leading county in SHA registration and that some of those opposing the program had many of their people already registered.
Over 27 million have so far registered to SHA, and Duale listed some of President Ruto’s successes in agriculture, housing and education, among other areas.
Health CS Aden Duale during the commissioning of construction work on the new hospital project at Kiplombe in Eldoret on November 17, 2025/MATHEWS NDANYI
“There are those who have been claiming that Ruto was abusing his opponents, but all the president had been doing was to explain to Kenyans what he had done so far," Duale said.
He said, despite all the successes, some leaders were used to shouting the one-term and Ruto must go calls.
“That is why we are saying there is something wrong in the heads of those who cannot see what the President has done,” Duale said.
MTRH CEO Dr Phillip Kirwa said the facility will be the largest hospital in Africa, with over 15,000 people expected to be involved in the construction.
He said it is expected to employ over 6,000 healthcare workers.
Chairman of the MTRH Sitoyo Lopokoiyit said the idea of the project was started in 2014 with a cabinet approval.
Several governors and leaders from the region attended the state event, where they heaped praise on President Ruto’s transformative agenda for the country.
Senator for the area Jackson Mandago said the president had, within the last three years, initiated work on 14 new referral hospitals in the country.
“No one should think that such a project is being done here because the president comes from here. We have similar referral hospitals going on in Bungoma, Kakamega and other regions,” Mandago said.
Medical Services PS Dr Ouma Oluga said the new facility in Eldoret will be done within the set time and start delivering services to the public within the next 18 months.
Oluga said the new hospital will play major roles as a centre of excellence in clinical service delivery, a National Referral Centre in the region, a centre for research and a training centre for both in-service and pre-service training.
Others present included Governors Stephen Sang of Nandi, along with his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Wisley Rotich, along with local MPs Julius Ruto of Kesses, David Kiplagat of Soy and Woman Representative Gladys Shollei.
Mandago, who is chairman of the Senate health committee, said the project had been delayed to start for the last ten years due to political sabotage.
Sang said it was ironical that those who sabotaged the project were the same ones now claiming to offer advice on how to manage government.
“Let them allow President Ruto do develop this country everywhere as he is doing now. Those who had their time but sidelined some regions in this country should simply keep quiet,” Sang said.
