On November 3, 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya confirmed that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will oversee the construction of the first phase of the new 4,000-bed Multi-Specialty Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret. The project, located on a 200-acre site in Kiplombe, Uasin Gishu County, is set to be one of Kenya’s most significant investments in healthcare infrastructure.
Accelerating Healthcare Development
The first phase of MTRH, which will feature a 2,000-bed capacity, is expected to be completed by April 2027. The decision to have KDF lead the initial phase of the project underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the facility is completed on time and to the highest standards. The hospital will include 60 ICU beds, playing a pivotal role in Kenya’s journey toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Duale and Tuya co-chaired a high-level meeting to coordinate efforts between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Defence. The collaboration aims to expedite the project’s implementation while ensuring that the hospital meets the needs of Kenyans for specialized and affordable healthcare.
A Transformative Project
The new hospital is part of the government’s broader healthcare strategy, which focuses on building specialized and accessible facilities to improve healthcare services across the country. In addition to providing advanced medical care, the hospital will serve as a regional referral center, ensuring that Kenyans from all corners of the country can access world-class healthcare services.
“This hospital is a transformative investment in our healthcare sector, and it will significantly improve the healthcare infrastructure, especially in underserved regions,” Duale stated during the announcement.
Expanding Healthcare Access Nationwide
The meeting also highlighted other critical healthcare infrastructure upgrades across Kenya. Among the projects discussed was the renovation and expansion of Balambala Sub-County Hospital in Garissa County, which will provide specialized medical services, including complex surgeries, to bring advanced healthcare closer to rural communities.
Additionally, several other hospital projects are progressing across the country, including Mama Rachel Ruto Hospital, J.M. Kariuki Hospital, Kenneth Matiba Hospital, and Siaya County Referral Hospital. These initiatives are part of the broader Taifa Care Model, which seeks to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
KDF’s Role in National Infrastructure
The involvement of KDF in overseeing the MTRH project follows their previous engagement in construction and completion projects for other critical infrastructure, including stadiums and hospital developments in Nakuru County. The government has tasked KDF with ensuring the timely completion of major infrastructure projects, such as the Afraha Stadium and the Trauma Centre at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital, which has been pending since 2012.
“The government is prioritizing these projects to ensure that they are completed swiftly and to the highest standards,” said Tuya, emphasizing KDF’s pivotal role in implementing these large-scale projects.
Conclusion
The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s healthcare development. With KDF overseeing its construction, the project is poised to become one of the largest healthcare facilities in the country, offering much-needed specialized services. As the first phase is set to complete by 2027, the hospital will contribute to the government’s broader mission to provide universal healthcare to all Kenyans.
