Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Monday officially commissioned the construction of the new 4,000-bed Moi Referral Multi-specialty Hospital in Eldoret, marking one of the most ambitious healthcare investments in Kenya’s history and a major step toward strengthening universal healthcare delivery.
The Sh50 billion government-funded project, to be implemented in phases, will sit on a 200-acre site in Kiplombe and is being supervised by the Kenya Defence Forces to guarantee efficiency, strict timelines and adherence to national construction standards. Phase One, expected to be completed within 18 months, will deliver the first 2,000 beds, including 60 ICU beds and 120 HDU beds. The full facility is targeted for completion in April 2027.
Duale said the hospital fulfils President William Ruto’s long-standing commitment to expanding specialised and equitable medical services for all Kenyans. He added that the complex will offer comprehensive specialty care, advanced diagnostics, surgical services, a national research centre and modern training facilities for both pre-service and in-service health professionals.
Designed as a high-capacity, technology-driven medical hub, the facility will feature interoperable digital records, unified patient identification, telemedicine services and real-time commodity tracking, aligning with Kenya’s digital health transformation agenda. Once operational, the hospital is expected to sharply reduce congestion at the current Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital while improving access to quality treatment for patients from Western Kenya, the North Rift and neighbouring countries.
Beyond healthcare gains, the project is positioned to deliver significant economic and social impact. More than 15,000 people will be involved in construction, while over 6,000 healthcare workers will be employed once the hospital becomes fully operational. Local communities will benefit directly through job creation, training opportunities and improved access to advanced medical technology. The complex will also support medical tourism, regional collaboration and long-term improvements in public health infrastructure.
MTRH CEO Dr Philip Kirwa said the new hospital will become the largest medical facility in Africa, anchoring Eldoret as a premier centre for specialised care, training and research. Medical Services PS Dr Ouma Oluga added that the project will serve as a national centre of excellence once completed, enhancing Kenya’s readiness to meet its universal health coverage commitments.
Regional leaders, governors and lawmakers who attended the commissioning ceremony hailed the development as a transformative milestone in the country’s growth agenda. They noted that the hospital reflects the government’s renewed focus on inclusive development, improved service delivery and a resilient, innovation-driven health system that supports long-term national health security.
