President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday launched the construction of the Kenya National Referral and Research Hospital, a top-tier military health facility that will provide specialised services to the security sector agencies and the public.

Speaking at the ground- breaking ceremony at the Kabete Army Barracks, Uhuru   said the construction of the 700-bed capacity Level Six hospital is part of government efforts to attain the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) pillar of the Big Four agenda.

“This Level Six hospital will cater for the needs of all men and women working in our security agencies.

It is indeed a proud day for our country, for our security agencies given that this is the first project of this magnitude that has been done since the Armed Forces Memorial Hospital was done in the early 1970s,” the President said.

New facilities

He said the new hospital is a landmark undertaking that will provide quality medical care for security personnel, citizens and their property.

“This is yet another milestone in ensuring that those of you who put your lives on the line and in danger to protect your fellow citizens are assured of the best possible medical care that can possibly be given,” he said.

As part of efforts to achieve the Big Four agenda’s UHC pillar, the President said the government was rolling out new health facilities and expanding existing ones.

“We shall be opening new facilities across the country to ensure that our people have access to healthcare which is a foundation of a sound healthy, secure and prosperous nation,” he said.

Uhuru also announced a plan to establish other health facilities which will serve frontline security personnel across the country.

“Very soon I will be opening a level four facility in Kahawa, and another one in Isiolo. We will begin work very soon, once Kahawa is done, to upgrade the Forces Memorial Hospital to level five.

We are proceeding to develop facilities in Eldoret, Garissa, Manda, Lamu and other areas so that we ensure that those of you who are out there on the frontline are able to access quality healthcare closer to where you serve,” the President said.

Territorial integrity

Defence Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma said the new hospital will not only add to the President’s list of legacy projects but also help in the improvement of the health sector.

“Within the security service, the most important asset are the people, it is the human capacity and this level six hospital will go a long way to ensure that our forces across the security sector are ready to deliver on their mandate to protect the territorial integrity of this nation and to provide security for our citizens,” Juma said.

Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi said the completion of the hospital would contribute immensely to the well-being of the country’s security personnel by providing specialised medical services.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, his Interior counterpart Fred Matiang’i and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua accompanied the President to the function.