KAPSABET, Kenya – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed that the government will proceed with the construction and upgrade of Kitale Level 5 Hospital in Trans Nzoia County despite opposition from Governor George Natembeya.
Murkomen defended President William Ruto’s decision to invest Sh1 billion in the health facility, arguing that residents deserve better medical services regardless of political disagreements between the national and county governments.
Speaking during an ACK Church service in Kapsabet, Nandi County, Murkomen said the hospital was necessary given the condition of the healthcare facilities that had previously served residents of Trans Nzoia.
“Mr President, you have constructed hospitals everywhere. There is a hospital in Kitale in Trans Nzoia, my home; what used to be there had been so pathetic,” Murkomen said.
The CS praised Ruto for backing the establishment of the Level 5 facility, saying residents should not be denied improved healthcare because of differences between political leaders.
“Despite the Governor of Trans Nzoia, George Natembeya, refusing a hospital, you have decided to build a Level 5 facility in the area to make sure the residents are served,” he said.
Murkomen also thanked the President and governors he said had supported development projects intended to improve the welfare of Kenyans.
Murkomen Questions Opposition To Hospital
The Interior CS said he was surprised by reports that Natembeya intended to lead demonstrations against the project, arguing that such opposition was at odds with residents’ demand for better healthcare services.
“I was so shocked to hear my governor in Trans Nzoia he will lead a demonstration to have the facility not be built there,” Murkomen said.
“People are begging for health facilities while others are saying they will protest.”
The remarks have intensified the public disagreement over the planned hospital project, which has exposed tensions between the national government and the Trans Nzoia county administration over the implementation of development projects in a devolved system.
Natembeya Cites County Government Mandate
Natembeya has argued that health services fall under the mandate of county governments and questioned the national government’s approach to the planned hospital upgrade.
The governor has maintained that Ruto is targeting him for raising governance concerns, saying the dispute reflects what he considers a disregard for the Constitution and the responsibilities assigned to county governments.
He has urged the President to respect the constitutional framework governing devolution and allow governors to discharge their responsibilities.
Natembeya has also suggested that the national government should consider investing in a university instead of undertaking projects he believes fall within the county government’s mandate.
