The stalled Sh.15 billion Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kirinyaga Centre will be issued with a title deed on October 1, the Interior Principal Secretary ,(PS), Karanja Kibicho has said.
Kibicho said after a meeting with the local leaders and Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Fred Matiang’i at his Harambee House office in Nairobi last week, the thorny issue of the title deed was amicably resolved.
Kibicho, while speaking to the media in Kerugoya town on Sunday said the facility will certainly resume once the crucial document was handed over.
“After eight MCAs from this county and all the area MPs, including the Women Representative and the Senator met with the Cabinet Secretary, in the presence of the County Deputy Governor, Peter Ndambiri, the KEMRI issue was amicably resolved,” Kibicho said.
The County Government had made some undisclosed demands for KEMRI before the institution could be issued with the title deed that led to the stalling of the project.
KEMRI had even erected a perimeter wall on the 100 acre land after the then area Governor, Joseph Ndathi showed its senior officials the extent of the land.
The Ultra-Modern Teaching, Research and Referral Medical Centre was also targeted to serve Central, Eastern and North Eastern region residents with specialised treatment with the facility in place.
The Centre when fully operational will comprise of a post graduate University, Research centre, a modern hospital and state of the art diagnostic laboratory.
Records from KEMRI has it that the University Wing will be admitting post graduates’ students in various disciplines and will also have room for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students.
“I think we should be grateful to the government for such an important project which will not only serve Kirinyaga people but the entire northern region,” the area MCA, Baptista Kanga said
Kanga said the hospital will be among the Vision 2030 flag ship projects being undertaken by the Jubilee Administration and added that the residents within the expansive catchment area have every reason to celebrate.
“Our people have had to travel far and wide in search of specialized medical services while some die on the way before they get to Nairobi but this will now be behind us once the project is completed,” he said.
The ward representative also said the presence of KEMRI in the region and with a project of such magnitude would spur social economic growth for the good of the people.
“A University institution coming to an area turns around the scales of the economy and brings about positive social change and on this regard I am urging the community around here to take full advantage and grow together with this facility,” Kanga said.
“I am urging the community around this land to ensure we have enough skilled and non-skilled labour from this area so that we have everyone on board right from the start as the construction works take shape,” he said.
By Irungu Mwangi
