MINISTRY OF DEFENCE PARTNERS WITH MERU COUNTY TO UPGRADE KEY HEALTH FACILITIES

Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Hon. Soipan Tuya chaired a consultative meeting with the Governor of Meru County, H.E. Mutuma M’Ethingia, to deliberate on transformative health infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening service delivery for residents of the county and the larger Upper Eastern region.

The meeting, held at the Defence Headquarters, focused on the proposed construction of the Nyambene–Maua Level 4 Hospital, which upon completion and upgrade will attain Level 5 status. The facility’s bed capacity will increase from the current 147 to 257, significantly expanding access to quality and specialized healthcare services and reducing the burden on referral hospitals outside the county.

The leaders also reviewed Phase II of the upgrade of Meru Level 5 Hospital, with particular emphasis on the expansion of critical facilities, including additional theatres and the surgical block. The enhancements will elevate the hospital to Level 6 status, positioning it as a premier referral and teaching institution capable of handling complex medical cases within the region.

Through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will provide technical expertise and engineering support to ensure the projects meet the highest construction standards, adhere to timelines, and deliver value for public resources.

CS Tuya reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to advancing universal health coverage through strategic investments that bring essential services closer to the people. She noted that the partnership between the National and County Governments will significantly reduce the need for residents of Meru to travel long distances in search of advanced medical care.

The collaboration underscores the Ministry’s growing role in supporting strategic national infrastructure under intergovernmental partnerships.

Present at the meeting were Defence Principal Secretary Dr. Patrick Mariru, KDF Chief Special Projects Brigadier Titus Sokobe, the County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr. Dennis Mugambi, and other senior officials from the Meru County Government.