President William Ruto on Thursday began a four-day development tour of Western Kenya, unveiling a series of infrastructure, health, and housing projects across Kakamega County.
The President opened the 124-bed Butere Level Four Hospital, constructed using county funds, and announced that the national government had equipped it with modern medical equipment worth Sh150 million under the National Equipment Services Programme.
He commended Governor Fernandes Barasa for completing the hospital initiated by former governor and current Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
“This hospital does not belong to Oparanya or Barasa, but to the people of Butere and Kakamega County,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Governor Barasa, CS Oparanya, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, MPs, and MCAs, among other leaders.
President Ruto announced that the government has allocated KSh1 billion to complete the Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
He said the facility will be equipped with modern medical equipment worth KSh500 million within 10 months.
“You will no longer need to travel to Eldoret for referral services. You’ll get the same quality of care right here,” he said.
The President also approved the construction of a Kenya Medical Training College campus in Butere, directing local MP Dindi Mwale to begin the project immediately.
He further challenged the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) to raise its drug supply efficiency from 68 to 98 per cent by December 2025 and urged residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to support effective healthcare planning.
On housing, Ruto directed that 10 acres of Kenya Railways land in Butere be set aside for the construction of 1,500 affordable housing units.
In Malava, the President opened a Kenya Medical Training College campus and launched construction of the 22-kilometer Malava–Samitsi–Navakholo road.
He also rallied support for UDA candidate David Ndakwa in the upcoming Malava Constituency by-election, saying he would continue the work of the late MP Malulu Injendi.
At Pan Paper Centre in Lugari, Ruto launched the construction of the 34-kilometer Turbo–Sikhendu road, costing Sh3.6 billion, and inspected the ongoing construction of a modern fresh produce market.
The road, he said, will boost trade between Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia counties.
In Shinyalu, the President launched construction of the 25-kilometer Kakamega Airstrip–Shinyalu–Chepsonoi road, linking Kakamega and Nandi counties.
Ruto acknowledged that Western Kenya has lagged behind in development and said the government is investing Sh2.5 billion in constructing 265 kilometres of roads and Sh2.2 billion to connect 34,000 homes to electricity within Kakamega County this financial year.
He added that 10,000 affordable housing units valued at Sh20 billion and 20 modern markets will be built in the county, while Sh1 billion has been allocated to complete Bukhungu Stadium.
Highlighting the need for sustainable financing, the President emphasized the importance of the proposed National Infrastructure Fund, which he said would raise Sh1.5 trillion to expand Kenya’s road network nationwide.
“To build enough roads across all regions, we need a new approach. The National Infrastructure Fund will make that possible,” he said.
