The Kericho County Government has allocated Sh158 million for the construction of the Sosiot Level Four Hospital in Belgut Sub-County, a significant investment set to transform healthcare services in the region, providing a much-needed boost to local medical infrastructure.
During the groundbreaking ceremony in Sosiot, Kericho County, Governor Dr. Eric Mutai emphasised that the three-storey, state-of-the-art facility will greatly improve healthcare in the region, pointing out that the new hospital will house essential departments, including Casualty, Outpatient Services, and specialised clinics in Ophthalmology, Dentistry, ENT, and Dermatology, significantly enhancing medical care for local residents.
Governor Mutai also revealed that the project will include vital infrastructure upgrades, such as perimeter fencing, cabro paving within the hospital grounds, and a modern entrance gate, all aimed at enhancing security and accessibility.
He emphasised that the hospital’s development is a vital step in meeting the growing healthcare needs of the community, ensuring accessible and affordable services for residents.
“This new facility complements the ongoing construction of a sh57 million Mother and Child Unit, developed in partnership with the Safaricom Foundation, aimed at providing essential maternal and paediatric care,” said Dr. Mutai.
The Governor confirmed that progress had been made on other critical areas of the hospital, including a new theatre, radiology unit, laboratory, and male and female wards, with plans underway to deploy staff to these facilities to ensure they become fully operational.
“These efforts will alleviate pressure on the Kericho County Referral Hospital while offering much-needed healthcare services to the people of Sosiot and surrounding areas,” remarked Dr. Mutai.
At the same time, Dr. Mutai commissioned a Sh200 million water expansion project in Waldai Ward, Belgut Sub-County, which includes the extension of the Kericho-Kimugu water system with a 10-kilometre main pipeline from Kapsoit to Taplotin, as well as the construction of a 150,000-cubic-metre water storage tank and a 21-kilometre house-to-house distribution network.
Additionally, the Governor revealed that the County Government had committed an extra Sh10 million under the Floods and Climate Change Adaptation (FLOCCA) programme to enhance the last-mile distribution network, ensuring that even the most remote homes are connected to the water supply.
By Kibe Mburu
