Nyandarua Governor Pleads with Ruto for Funds to Revive Stalled JM Kariuki Hospital Complex

Efforts to expand the JM Kariuki Memorial Hospital through the JM Complex hospital named Mashujaa Complex are proving to be difficult with the county now appealing for help from the government.

Nyandarua Governor, Dr Moses Kiarie, pleaded with the national government to add more funds to the project as the county was running out of capacity to fund it. According to the governor, the county had already spent Ksh1 billion on the construction of the complex, but it is not done yet.

Speaking during a sight visit on Thursday, the governor revealed that the projected total cost exceeds Ksh1.5 billion, emphasising the urgent need for additional funds to complete it.

“The JM Mashujaa structural works are almost complete, and the remaining works, which are the installation of medical glasses, theatres, and mechanical works, among other finer finishes, are the biggest task now. We are appealing to the national government or any other donors to facilitate us with Ksh500 million to complete the facility,” he said.

The complex, which is part of the JM Memorial Hospital, which was built to commemorate Kenya’s socialist politician JM Kariuki, is expected to elevate the county’s healthcare capacity by providing Nyandarua with a Level 6 hospital.

It is expected to spare county residents the inconvenience and financial burden of travelling long distances to access some specialised medical services.

The hospital aims to also offer services to neighbouring regions, cementing its role as a vital healthcare hub in the central and Rift Valley regions.

The new complex is expected to have a 500-bed capacity with a 144-bed mother and child unit, an additional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 12 fully equipped beds, a 10-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU), three operating theatres, and a 48-bed casualty ward.

The government and relevant stakeholders have been invited to join hands and ensure the project is completed in honour of JM Kariuki.

JM Kariuki is not a new name to Kenyans. Josiah Mwangi Kariuki was a vibrant politician in the President Moi Administration. He served as a Minister, a Nyandarua North MP, an activist, and in other capacities.

However, on, March 2, 1975, the vibrant politician was reported missing, only for his body to be found at the Nairobi City Mortuary ten days later. According to reports, JM was assassinated.

The then government was quick to downplay his absence. Former Director of Security Intelligence James Kanyotu once told Nation journalist, Kamau Ngotho that Moi, who was the Vice President, gave false information in Parliament about the whereabouts of JM.