County lures investors to make Eldoret medical tourism hub

The ongoing development of hospitals and related institutions is expected to position Eldoret as a medical tourism destination, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Governor Jonathan Bii has said.

Bii said the construction of the new 4,000-bed Moi Referral Multi-speciality Hospital in Eldoret, expected to cost over Sh50 billion, alongside other upcoming public and private hospitals, will turn the city into the largest medical hub in the region after Nairobi.

“We are working with many investors who are developing new health facilities in Eldoret. This will ensure Kenyans and even foreigners can access the best possible world-class medical services at facilities in our region,” Bii said.

He spoke during the commissioning of the Siloam Eye Center in Eldoret, which offers specialised care and treatment for eye ailments.

The governor was accompanied by Health chief officer Paul Wangwe and ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon Amos Kiptoo, who is the Director of the Siloam Eye Center.

Governor Bii said the county is working with private investors to expand access to modern healthcare services in the region.

“We are happy to partner with Siloam Eye Unit to ensure we sensitise our people who may have eye-related challenges to access specialised care,” Bii said.

He added that the county government will continue creating an enabling environment for investors in the health sector as Eldoret grows into a medical hub.

The facility was commissioned as medical experts raised alarm over a growing wave of eye diseases.

They warned that climate change and rising pollution levels are increasingly putting both urban and rural populations at risk of serious vision problems, including blindness.

Hospitals are already reporting a surge in eye allergies, which specialists say could worsen if left untreated. Ophthalmologist Kiptoo said changing environmental conditions are a major driver of the rising cases.

“We now have a lot of dust, along with severe hot and very cold seasons, which affect the eyes of many people, leading to allergies and other ailments,” Kiptoo said.

He noted that increased pollution levels are contributing significantly to eye complications, with many patients reporting various forms of allergies.

Kiptoo called for enhanced public sensitisation and improved access to specialised eye care services. He said the centre is stepping up efforts to bridge the gap in eye health services, including outreach programmes and expanded treatment options.

“Our goal is to provide services that will help mitigate the effects of climate change and pollution on the eyes of our people,” he said.

The facility hosted a medical camp at its new centre in Eldoret after it was officially launched by Bii.

Kiptoo said the centre will offer comprehensive eye care, ranging from basic vision checks to complex surgeries, including cataract operations.

It will also conduct screenings for common conditions such as short- and long-sightedness. He warned that a lack of specialists and limited public awareness are worsening preventable cases of vision impairment.

“Unavailability of experts to offer specialist eye services and relevant health education for prevention and early detection is something we must address,” he said.

Kiptoo added that early detection and treatment remain key to preventing avoidable blindness, especially among both young and elderly patients.

Governor for Uasin Gishu Jonathan Bii cuts the tape during launch of Siloam Eye Center in Eldoret