Kenya and Italy have signed a landmark partnership with GKSD Group to construct 15 new hospitals across the country, marking a major step in the government’s efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure and improve access to quality medical services. The agreement brings together public and international partners to strengthen Kenya’s health system and support the country’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking during the signing ceremony, President William Ruto said the partnership will deliver 13 Level 5 county referral hospitals and two Level 6 national teaching and referral hospitals in 15 counties. The investment is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery at both county and national levels while ensuring that more Kenyans can access advanced medical services closer to where they live.
The expansion comes at a time when Kenya continues to face a significant shortage of hospital capacity. The country currently has about 12 hospital beds per 10,000 people, compared with the World Health Organisation benchmark of 25 beds per 10,000 people. The new hospitals will therefore help bridge the infrastructure gap and provide additional capacity for an expanding population.
The Level 5 hospitals will play a particularly important role in strengthening county healthcare systems by providing specialised services that are often concentrated in major urban centres. By increasing the availability of referral facilities, the projects are expected to reduce pressure on existing hospitals, improve referral systems and minimise the need for patients to travel long distances in search of specialised treatment.
The two Level 6 national teaching and referral hospitals will further enhance Kenya’s capacity to provide highly specialised healthcare, training and medical research. Their establishment will complement ongoing government efforts to modernise the health sector and develop a stronger healthcare workforce capable of responding to increasingly complex medical needs.
President Ruto said the projects are being implemented under Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, positioning the agreement within a broader framework of cooperation between Italy and African countries. The partnership demonstrates how international collaboration and investment can support Kenya’s development priorities while creating opportunities to strengthen technical expertise, healthcare technology and institutional capacity.
Beyond the construction of physical facilities, the hospitals are expected to contribute to wider economic and social development. New healthcare infrastructure can create employment during construction and operation, stimulate demand for local goods and services, and support the development of medical and pharmaceutical ecosystems around the facilities. Improved access to healthcare will also help communities remain healthier and more productive.
President Ruto described the partnership as transformative, saying the projects will “radically transform the lives of our people.” The 15 hospitals therefore represent more than an expansion of buildings and beds; they are part of Kenya’s broader ambition to create an accessible, modern and sustainable healthcare system. If implemented effectively, the investment could significantly strengthen referral services and accelerate the country’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
