No more trips to India for cancer treatment, Kericho governor announces as he launches $2.8m cancer treatment unit construction

A regional government in western Kenya is investing Ksh358 million ($2.8 million) in a new multi-storey Non-Communicable Disease Centre at Kericho Referral Hospital to modernise healthcare in the county that is experiencing exponential incidence of cancer and lifestyle diseases.

The state-of-the-art facility will feature a modern oncology centre, radiology unit, inpatient wards, isolation cubes, a seven-bed ICU, a modern theatre, a burns unit, offices and specialist consultation rooms.

Speaking during the ground-breaking at Kericho County Referral Hospital in Kipchebor Ward, Kericho County Governor Erick Mutai emphasised that within two years, no patient from Kericho County would travel for treatment in India or other counties for cancer-related health problems.

“We want our people to be treated in the county because that is the essence of devolution – to bring services closer to the people,” he said.

Dr Mutai also took a firm stand against land-grabbing, warning individuals who had encroached on hospital and court land that the law would reclaim it.

“If you have grabbed public land, it is like signing a death certificate for patients. You can take anything, but grabbing a medical facility is the highest level of medical insensitivity,” the governor warned.

The governor further announced a partnership that secured Ksh500 million ($4 million) for expanding and equipping medical facilities noting that Kericho Referral Hospital serves not only local residents but also patients from neighbouring counties such as Bomet, Nakuru and Nandi, with 60 per cent of patients coming from outside Kericho.

“Cancer machines are very expensive and having this funding allows us to bring in the same equipment used in India,” he said.

On the other hand, he highlighted infrastructure improvements, revealing that the facility would increase the number of specialized theatres from three to six and establish a functional dialysis unit.

“As we build the facility, we are also equipping personnel so that by the time the contractor hands over, we have a fully operational centre,” he assured.

Beyond healthcare, the governor underscored his administration’s commitment to improving access to clean water, highlighting the Chemosot-Kimulot Water Project in Chemosot Ward, Bureti Sub County.

The governor, while inspecting the project earlier alongside Chemosot MCA Anita Biegon, Kabianga MCA Dominic Mutai and Litein MCA Vincent Kirui said it will provide clean and reliable water to over 500 households, besides benefitting key public institutions such as Chemosot Health Centre and Chemosot Vocational College.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health David Ekwam called upon healthcare workers to match the county’s investment with dedication.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. We must collaborate to deliver the best healthcare services. I announce that all the recently confirmed county healthcare workers would receive their allowances this month,” He added.

Dr Ekwam further outlined plans to boost staffing, revealing that shortlisting for new healthcare personnel had begun with expectation to deploy additional staff across the county by next month.

He said 17 healthcare facilities facing staff shortages would soon receive reinforcements and mentioned ongoing construction of a three-floor facility at Seriot to enhance medical services at the sub-county level.

In attendance were Kipchebor MCA Eric Bett and other county leaders with CECM leaders, who lauded the initiative as a transformative step in positioning Kericho as a leading medical treatment hub.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Gilbert Mutai and Hillary Kemei.