Foundation stone has been laid for the construction of the Nzamba Kitonga Memorial Hospital in Mutitu/Kaliku Ward, Kitui East Sub-County, marking a major milestone in the strengthening of healthcare services in Kitui County. The project was officially launched on Thursday by Julius Malombe alongside Patrick Mariru.
The specialized hospital will focus on the treatment and management of respiratory and infectious diseases, targeting residents from Kitui East and other parts of the county. Leaders present described the project as a timely intervention aimed at improving access to specialized medical care within the region.
The launch ceremony also exposed political undercurrents in Kitui East politics after Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai, popularly known as MRI, skipped the important function. His absence attracted attention from local residents and leaders who had expected him to attend the landmark event in his constituency.
In what many interpreted as filling the political gap left behind, Kitui East aspiring MP and Chief Officer Henry Nyamai took a prominent role during the event. Nyamai, who has openly shown interest in the Kitui East parliamentary seat in 2027, interacted with residents and leaders throughout the launch ceremony.
Governor Malombe said the establishment of the Nzamba Kitonga Memorial Hospital was informed by lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed serious weaknesses in preparedness and management of respiratory and infectious diseases both globally and locally.
According to the Governor, the pandemic revealed inadequate isolation wards, limited specialized respiratory treatment units, insufficient laboratory and diagnostic capacity, and weak emergency referral systems in the region. He noted that the county government resolved to invest in a modern facility capable of addressing such challenges in the future.
Malombe further stated that upper respiratory tract infections remain among the leading causes of illness in Kitui County, making the construction of the hospital a critical healthcare investment for the people. He emphasized that his administration remains committed to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare services for all residents.
The Governor disclosed that he conceptualized the project following the death of renowned constitutional lawyer Nzamba Kitonga in 2020. He described the hospital as a lasting tribute to the late legal scholar’s immense contribution to the country and the people of Kitui.
At the same time, Governor Malombe commended William Ruto and the National Government for supporting the project through an allocation of KSh 200 million. He said the partnership between the county and national governments would accelerate the completion and operationalization of the facility.
Once complete, the Nzamba Kitonga Memorial Hospital will have a capacity of 75 beds and specialized outpatient clinics. The County Government of Kitui will be responsible for equipping the facility and deploying healthcare workers to ensure residents receive efficient and specialized treatment services closer to home.
