New Naivasha hospital to make Nakuru a medical tourism hub
By Suleiman Mbatiah
Nakuru County is set to become a regional medical tourism destination following a partnership between the county and Prime Ventures International to establish a state-of-the-art hospital in Naivasha.
According to Governor Susan Kihika, the proposed Naivasha Medical City Hospital, a multi-specialty facility that will house more than ten medical units.
The hospital, described as a one-stop medical centre of excellence, is designed to attract patients from across the region seeking specialized treatment.
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Governor Kihika held a meeting with the investors led by Eng. Nancy Chigai and Mr. Erroll King to discuss the execution of the concept that positions the hospital as a destination facility.
The Governor welcomed the initiative, saying it aligns with her manifesto commitment to position Nakuru as a medical tourism hub, not just a conventional healthcare provider.
“This project fits perfectly with our mission to improve affordable and accessible healthcare while creating employment opportunities,” she said.
The County Government of Nakuru has pledged full support to the investors, including assistance in securing land, licenses, and professional approvals.
Prime Ventures International plans to break ground in June, with the first phase expected to be completed within three years.
The proposed facility will significantly boost Nakuru County’s healthcare infrastructure, which currently includes the Nakuru Level Five Hospital, the largest referral facility in the region.
The Nakuru Level Five Hospital serves as the main public healthcare provider, but it faces challenges of overcrowding and limited specialized services.
The new Naivasha Medical City Hospital will fill critical gaps by offering advanced medical units and specialized care not readily available in existing public facilities.
Naivasha’s strategic location along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway makes it accessible to patients from neighbouring counties and potentially from the region.
The hospital is expected to reduce the burden on Nakuru Level Five while providing higher-end medical services that currently force residents to travel to Nairobi or Eldoret.
Governor Kihika noted that the project will create jobs and stimulate economic growth through medical tourism.
Kenya is emerging as a premier medical tourism hub in East Africa, attracting 3,000 to 5,000 foreign patients annually, primarily from neighbouring African nations.
“We are committed to partnerships that enhance quality healthcare and drive our county’s development,” she said while outlining her administration’s achievements in the health sector.
She said health anchors her administration, with about 40 per cent of the county budget allocated annually since 2022 to deliver dignified, accessible care and strengthen service delivery, staffing, governance, financing, and supply chains.
The county runs 16 gazetted Primary Care Networks linking 219 spokes and 391 community units, serving over 12,000 residents through preventive and curative services, patient support groups, Baby-Friendly initiatives, and stronger community follow-up.
Community Health Promoters have boosted disease surveillance, early detection, referrals, and health education, reducing preventable illnesses, supported by hygiene campaigns, expanded immunisation, and reforms that stabilised essential medicine supply and accountability.
On infrastructure, she said Level 4 hospitals in Kuresoi North and Rongai are under construction, while Maai Mahiu, Molo, Njoro, and Subukia hospitals and new maternity units have been completed or operationalised.
The county has expanded diagnostic and treatment capacity with CT scans, neonatal and high-dependency units, theatres including Bondeni, digital health records, and workforce investments covering recruitment, promotions, and improved working environments.
