• “The facility attended to more than 6 million patients last year. These included not only Nakuru residents but also patients from neighboring counties such as Baringo, Laikipia, Nyandarua, and Narok,” she said.

Public concerns about overstretched services at the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital set the stage for a candid response during a public engagement forum on March 16, 2026.

Zipporah Wangui, Nakuru County’s Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, ICT, e‑Government, and Public Communication, noted that the hospital is often overwhelmed because it serves far more than just Nakuru residents.

In regards to this, she emphasized the hospital’s regional role as a referral center.

“The facility attended to more than 6 million patients last year. These included not only Nakuru residents but also patients from neighboring counties such as Baringo, Laikipia, Nyandarua, and Narok,” she said.

Despite the uncontrolled nature of congestion at the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital, the county has prioritized ways of addressing the crisis.

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Zipporah explained that the Governor has increased the Health Department’s budget by 10 percent. She noted that the county is expanding capacity in smaller facilities such as Bondeni Maternity Hospital, which now conducts around 34 cesarean sections each month.

“We have operationalized 12 new health centers in different parts of Nakuru County like Barut in Nakuru Town West, Muguka in Nakuru Town East among others. We are also finishing up Molo, Njoro, Gilgil, Subukia, Salgaa and Kiptororo Level 4 hospitals,” Wangui noted.

The CECM insisted that the community could also take part in resolving the crisis.

She urged residents to make use of the smaller health centers located closer to them instead of rushing to the main referral hospital. Her point is that if people embrace these local facilities, it will help decongest the central hospital, ease the pressure on its limited infrastructure, and ensure patients receive care more efficiently.

Beyond infrastructure, Wangui emphasized the broader value of county investments. “There is value for money in Nakuru County. Indirectly we are addressing nutrition of our young learners through school feeding programmes in the County which has enhanced learning outcome,” she added.

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