The County government of Elgeyo Marakwet has launched a Sh50 million Maternity facility at the County Referral Hospital in Iten Town.
The project is funded by the World Bank.
The ground breaking Ceremony was presided over by Governor Alex Tolgos on Wednesday.
The occasion was also graced by County Assembly Health Committee Chairman Sharach Lulley and Cherang’any Chebororwa MCA Tich Cheboi.
Tolgos said the two storey building will have a theatre and 8 maternity wards with a 80 bed capacity.
This, the Governor said will ease congestion at the ICRH as well as enhancing service delivery.
Tolgos however challenged the contractor to ensure that the project is completed within the six months timeframe, even as he insisted on quality workmanship.
“We rather extend the timeframe and get value for money instead of compromising workmanship to beat timelines.
I want a project that the people of Elgeyo Marakwet will be proud of in the years to come,” said Tolgos.
He indicated the need to develop a master plan for the referral hospital so that structures do not get established haphazardly.
In addition, Tolgos said the World Bank funding through the Kenya Devolution Support Program KDSP, will also facilitate construction of a modern theatre at Kaptarakwa Health Centre in Keiyo South.
Hospital wards will also be built in Kapcherop and Chesoi Health Centres, in Marakwet West and East Sub-counties respectively.
Architect Joseph Maswan said once completed, the project will not only ease congestion at the facility but also ensure that mother and child will be catered for.
Cheboi said the undertaking was going to be a great milestone.
It will create more jobs in the health department.
“This is going to be among the legacy projects of Governor Tolgos, and we are hopeful that the County Assembly is going to allocate a budget for equipping it once it is completed,” said Cheboi.
County Secretary Paul Chemuttut, Chief Officers Josphat Maiyo (Health Projects) Mark Chesergon (Office of Governor), Timothy Kiptum (Agriculture) and ICRH Medical Superintendent Benjamin Kimaile were also in attendance.
