The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Ksh29 billion Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) ultra-modern multi-speciality hospital project in Eldoret, even as contractors raised concerns over inadequate financing, water shortages and a shortage of technical personnel.
The committee, led by Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli, visited the construction site in Kiplombe, on the outskirts of Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, as part of its budget oversight activities.
The 2,000-bed facility is expected to expand specialised healthcare services in Kenya and the wider region once completed.
“We are happy with the progress so far. Once complete, this will be the country’s and region’s most advanced medical complex,” said Hon. Sunkuli.
During an earlier briefing, MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philip Kirwa told the committee that the facility would comprise 25 distinct blocks, with 2,000 inpatient beds, including 134 intensive care unit (ICU) beds.
The hospital will also feature 348 outpatient clinics, 36 operating theatres, four catheterisation laboratories and advanced oncology and radiology infrastructure.
Following the briefing, the committee toured the construction site before meeting the project contractors, who provided an update on the ongoing works. The contractors told MPs that construction was proceeding around the clock, with completion targeted for April 2027.
During the meeting, committee members Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Mary Maingi (Mwea) and Pauline Lenguris (Samburu County) sought to establish whether any challenges were hindering the project’s progress.
The contractors cited inadequate financing, water shortages and a shortage of technical personnel as some of the challenges facing the project. The committee assured the project team of budgetary support but questioned the claims of water shortages and inadequate technical staff.
Oron said a project of such magnitude required a reliable water supply and questioned why the contractors had not adequately addressed the issue. “As a serious international contractor, you ought to have sunk boreholes. A project of such magnitude needs a reliable source of water,” said Hon. Oron.
Kibagendi also challenged the contractors over their claim that a shortage of technical personnel was affecting the project, saying qualified Kenyans were available to provide the required expertise.
“You cannot have a technical problem of inadequate staff. If you are genuine, you need technical personnel. There are many qualified Kenyans out here who are willing to work,” observed Hon. Kibagendi.
The contractors disclosed that they had drilled four boreholes, but only one had water.
In response, Kirwa told the committee that MTRH had partnered with Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) to ensure a reliable water supply to the construction site.
The partnership is expected to address concerns over water availability as construction continues. The committee’s visit forms part of its oversight of budget implementation and the progress of major health infrastructure projects.
The MPs are scheduled to visit Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu on Thursday, October 29, 2026, for another budget implementation oversight visit.
