Governors are now turning to the military to help complete "critical" and stalled projects in their regions.
Stung by a litany of delayed developments, most of which have fallen behind schedule, county bosses have enlisted the services of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to get them over the finish line.
The nation has learnt that some governors engaged President William Ruto and struck a deal to have the KDF take over and complete stalled development projects in their counties. These include stadiums, health facilities, schools and other critical infrastructure.
“The governors have opted to involve the military in key projects they want fast-tracked with minimal wastage of taxpayers' funds. It’s also a strategic move to secure national government support for their completion,” revealed a senior Nakuru County official.
Governors who have handed over various projects to the KDF after striking deals with President Ruto include Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Dr Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandarua), James Orengo (Siaya), Stephen Sang (Nandi), and Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu).
According to Defence Principal Secretary Dr Patrick Mariru, "The projects are being implemented under the oversight of the Ministry of Defence, through the Kenya Defence Forces, as part of President William Ruto's directive for accelerated delivery of flagship projects."
In Kakamega County, for instance, Governor Fernandes Barasa officially handed over the stalled Sh6.2 billion Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital to the national government over the weekend, paving the way for the resumption of construction.
Chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG) Finance and Economic Planning Committee Fernandes Barasa, who is also the Kakamega.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The 750-bed facility, one of the flagship projects initiated by former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, stalled in 2022 due to funding constraints. Construction is now set to resume this week.
Governor Barasa, together with Medical Services PS Ouma Oluga and PS Mariru, toured the site and reaffirmed the hospital’s potential to transform healthcare and spur economic growth in Kakamega and the wider Western region.
“The hospital will now be completed through a joint effort between the county and national governments. Engineers from the Kenya Defence Forces have taken over construction. Under the new arrangement, the national government will inject Sh500 million, while Kakamega County will allocate Sh300 million to complete and equip Phase I,” said Governor Barasa.
PS Mariru said that once completed, the hospital will serve not only Kakamega but also Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia, and Trans Nzoia counties.
“Our KDF professionals will supervise the work, but we will also engage local youth to offer various services over the next six months,” he added.
PS Oluga noted that the facility will bring specialised healthcare closer to the people and will be equipped under the National Equipment Support Programme, recently launched by the national government.
“We will install, maintain, and service modern equipment at this facility. Patients will pay for services only after receiving care, under a ‘fee-for-service’ model,” explained Oluga.
The hospital was originally budgeted at Sh6.12 billion, to be completed in three phases: Phase I (Sh2.33 billion), Phase II (Sh2.01 billion), and Phase III (Sh1.78 billion). Once operational, it is expected to become a hub for medical tourism and a model for public healthcare delivery.
In Nakuru, the KDF has taken over the construction of Olenguruone Stadium, which stalled 13 years ago. Construction of the stadium in Kuresoi South Sub-county began in 2012. Only Sh73 million out of the contract sum of Sh290 million had been paid before it stalled.
Last week, the KDF also took over the completion of the historic Afraha Stadium in Nakuru City.
The Sh650 million renovation of the 60-year-old stadium, funded by the World Bank through the Kenya Urban Support Programme, is now 97percent complete. The upgraded stadium will house multiple sporting disciplines and a convention centre, and features modern facilities such as a swimming pool, gymnasium and turf field.
“The completion of these projects will inspire hope and ignite passion, especially among the youth. The stadium in Amalo Ward, Kuresoi South, has officially been handed over to the military for redesign and completion following my appeal to the President,” she said.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika.
Photo credit: Richard Maosi | Nation Media Group
Governor Kihika has also handed over the construction of a trauma centre at Nakuru Level Five Hospital to the KDF. The project had stalled after consuming Sh70 million.
President Ruto has also committed to deploying KDF to fast-track upgrades at Lanet Airport and to revive the stalled Sh38 billion Itare Dam project in Kuresoi.
In Nyandarua, Nyeri and Laikipia counties, KDF has taken charge of stalled projects including the Ol Kalou Stadium and the Sh1.5 billion Ol Kalou Mashujaa Hospital Complex.
“The KDF will oversee critical projects until completion. The Ol Kalou Stadium holds great promise, not just for sports enthusiasts but also for youth empowerment. The Mashujaa Hospital Complex expansion will enhance access to specialised care in Nyandarua,” PS Mariru said.
After years of delays, the KDF has now been tasked with completing the hospital within one year, following the national government’s failure to honor a Sh500 million pledge.
In neighbouring Nyeri, President Ruto in April handed over the stalled Ruring’u Stadium to the KDF, directing its completion within one year. The project, which had stalled for over seven years, will now cost Sh800 million—up from the original Sh480 million.
In Nandi, KDF will oversee the construction of Kipchoge Sports Stadium in Kapsabet, a facility in honour of Olympic legend Kipchoge Keino.
In Uasin Gishu, the KDF is helping upgrade the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret to a 15,000-seater in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
“KDF is known for its efficiency. During the previous regime, it worked with the National Youth Service on projects like the Nairobi-Kisumu, Thika-Nanyuki, and Gilgil-Laikipia metre-gauge railways,” said governance expert David Ngugi.
“If we all worked with the discipline and dedication of the military, Kenya would be a great country. KDF has saved billions in the past—for instance, it refurbished the Lake Victoria cargo vessel MV Uhuru for Sh250 million far less than the Sh1.8 billion quoted by private contractors,” he added.
Jesse Karanja, chair of the People’s Power Watch group, also welcomed the move. “KDF will fast-track long-stalled projects. I’m confident they’ll deliver,” he said.
However, critics accuse President Ruto of double standards.
“President Ruto criticised former President Uhuru Kenyatta for militarising development. Now he’s deploying the same military to oversee national and county projects. That’s hypocritical,” said lawyer and political analyst Steve Kabita.
In August 2023, President Ruto commissioned the refurbished Keroka Level Four Hospital, upgraded by KDF and the Ministry of Health.
The Nation also learnt that the government plans to use KDF to revitalise the Perkerra Irrigation Scheme and other aging irrigation systems.
Notably, in 2023, President Ruto, who once opposed military-led development, reversed his own stance by transferring the Kenya Meat Commission back to the Ministry of Defence through Executive Order No.2 of November 2, 2023.
The commission had originally been moved to Defence by President Kenyatta in 2020 in a bid to save it from collapse. At the time, it was burdened by a Sh1.1 billion debt, including Sh254 million owed to livestock farmers.
Since 2023, President Ruto has continued to engage KDF in fast-tracking State projects and now governors are following suit.
