Mombasa County has launched major healthcare infrastructure expansion programme that will see the construction of four new hospitals in the county at a combined cost of nearly Ksh1 billion ($7.4 million) to improve access to quality health services and ease pressure on existing facilities.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for Raila Odinga Kongowea Hospital in Kongowea, Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir said the flagship facility will cost approximately Ksh250 million ($1.934 million) and will be named in honour of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga.

“This hospital is going to be one of the largest hospitals in the entire region after the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, and we have given it the name Raila Odinga Kongowea Hospital in memory of the late Raila Odinga,” Nassir said.

The county government also announced plans to construct three additional hospitals in Mikindani, Likoni, and Port Reitz to bring essential healthcare services closer to residents in underserved areas. The expansion will significantly reduce congestion at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, which currently serves as the main referral facility for the region.

A Level Three facility has already been completed in Mjambere, while plans are underway for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital to further strengthen healthcare delivery in the county.

Governor Nassir said the health expansion programme is part of a broader strategy to improve service delivery, supported by integration of community health promoters, customer care certification in public facilities, and mass registration of residents under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.

He emphasised that the investments reflect a long-standing commitment to equitable healthcare access inspired by the legacy of the late Odinga, whose political vision advocated for universal healthcare through what he termed “Baba Care.”

“Health has always been, and will continue to be, a key pillar of our manifesto,” he said, adding that the county government will be judged based on tangible development outcomes rather than political rhetoric.

Nassir also called for an end to tribal politics in governance, urging leaders to focus on service delivery.

“We cannot have tribal polarisation in this country. It is totally toxic. Come and let us be measured by what we have done – in education, health, and much more – not just propaganda,” he said.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who attended the ceremony alongside Nassir, commended the initiative, describing it as a clear demonstration of development-focused leadership. She said the project represents meaningful progress in improving healthcare services for residents.

“This is very good progress for the health of our people in Mombasa. Those of us in leadership have a responsibility to focus on the development of our people, and that is what we are doing now more than ever,” Wanga said.

She noted that counties led by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), including Mombasa, Homa Bay, and Kajiado, continue to demonstrate commitment to delivering essential services to citizens.

“Look at what we are doing for our people. The people’s concern is how education will be handled, how health will be managed, and how Kenyans will come together; that is what we must answer to,” she added.

The four-hospital expansion programme is expected to significantly transform healthcare access in Mombasa County, reduce patient overload at major referral facilities, and improve overall service delivery for residents. The projects will also create employment opportunities during construction and operation phases while strengthening the county’s health system capacity.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Ramadhan Nassib