Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the expansion and modernisation of Kenneth Matiba Hospital in Murang'a County, saying the project is advancing steadily and remains on course for completion within the planned timelines.
During an inspection visit to the construction site on Thursday, Mariru reviewed the ongoing works and said the project had reached nearly the halfway stage since construction began in June 2025.
He underscored the importance of maintaining the pace of construction while ensuring that quality standards are upheld throughout the implementation process.
"The project is progressing steadily, with implementation now approaching the halfway mark," Mariru said. "It is important that we maintain the construction schedule while upholding the highest standards of quality to ensure timely completion."
The expansion of Kenneth Matiba Hospital is being implemented by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) under the Ministry of Defence, which is serving as the project manager.
The initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Murang'a County Government as part of the national government's efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the country.
Once completed, the upgraded hospital is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in Murang'a County and neighbouring regions through expanded facilities and enhanced specialised services.
The project includes the construction of a modern trauma centre, expanded inpatient wards, a doctors' plaza and other essential support infrastructure designed to increase the hospital's capacity to provide emergency, specialised and referral healthcare services.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the additional facilities will also help reduce pressure on existing referral hospitals by enabling more patients to access advanced treatment closer to their homes.
Mariru said the hospital expansion reflects the government's broader commitment to improving access to affordable, quality and specialised healthcare services under President William Ruto's administration.
"The project reflects the Government of Kenya's commitment to expanding access to quality, affordable and specialised healthcare services," he said.
He added that strategic investments in public health infrastructure are essential in improving service delivery and ensuring that communities across the country have access to modern medical facilities.
The Defence PS also praised the Kenya Defence Forces for their role in implementing major national infrastructure projects, citing their professionalism and engineering expertise.
"I commend the Kenya Defence Forces for the professionalism, efficiency and engineering excellence they continue to demonstrate in delivering strategic national infrastructure projects," Mariru said.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence's commitment to ensuring the hospital is completed within the stipulated timelines so that residents can begin benefiting from the upgraded services as soon as possible.
The Kenneth Matiba Hospital project is among several flagship public infrastructure initiatives currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Defence.
In recent years, the ministry has increasingly taken on a broader role in supporting national development by managing the construction of key public facilities beyond its traditional security mandate.
These projects span sectors including healthcare, education, housing and sports infrastructure, leveraging the technical and engineering capabilities of the Kenya Defence Forces to accelerate delivery of strategic government programmes.
Upon completion, the expanded Kenneth Matiba Hospital is expected to enhance emergency response capacity, improve access to specialised medical care and strengthen the county's healthcare system, contributing to the government's objective of building resilient and accessible health services for Kenyans.
