Azimio opposes construction of ‘mega’ hospital in Eldoret

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya alliance has opposed reportedly planned construction of a Ksh28 billion hospital in Eldoret.

In a press statement by the National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, the new proposed facility will be bigger than Kenyatta National Hospital.

“Recent media reports have revealed advanced plans by the government for the construction of a Ksh28 billion hospital in Eldoret and that the government has already earmarked funds for the mega project.

“According to these reports, Eldoret is set to host something between 2000-4,000-bed capacity hospital that will be one of the largest in Africa.

“Its capacity will be almost three times that of Kenyatta National Hospital, the largest public health facility in East and Central Africa.

“We are opposed to this project that is shrouded in complete opacity and has all the making of cash cows that come within the first months of a new regime before being abandoned once the big boys have had their loot,” Opiyo said in the statement.

Hospital not cleared for construction

He said the project has not been tabled before and cleared by the relevant committees of Parliament.

“The gazette notice that it’s supposedly founded upon is hardly accessible to the public. The opacity and air of conspiracy around this supposed mega project should be enough signal to Kenyans that we are about to be scammed.

“The lack of transparency aside, the thinking behind this project is awkward and discriminatory. It seeks to continue the politics of favoritism and patronage through which deserving regions have been denied projects while those regions that are well catered for get rewarded all the same because the President comes from there,” Opiyo stated.

The minority leader further said establishing another hospital in Eldoret where Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) is situated is a complete waste and unequal distribution of public resources.

“Focus should be on ensuring equity in the distribution of Level Five hospitals to the regions while ensuring that regions that already have those facilities are able to maintain and sustain them.

“Taxpayers’ money must be used equitably and fairly among all regions and communities regardless of where the President comes from.

“When and wherever this project gets to be done, and we will insist it must not be Eldoret, the law governing public finances must be followed to the letter,” he added.

Opiyo further alleged that the national government is planning to handover MTRH to the Uasin Gishu county government.

“We are being told that once the planned project is completed, the current MTRH facility, which was put up by National Government funds, will be handed over to the Uasin Gishu County. It is not clear how that works.

“We are raising the red flag over this project and demanding its immediate suspension until all the questions that hover over it are adequately answered.

“We are concerned that this project is being pulled out of the shelves and dusted for implementation not to serve the public but to line up the pockets of the new power brokers in town,” he said.