Kenya has entered into a major healthcare partnership with Italian firm GKSD Group that will see 15 new hospitals developed across the country as the government seeks to expand access to specialised medical services.
President William Ruto witnessed the signing of the agreement at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, describing the investment as an important step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The partnership is being implemented under the Italian government’s Mattei Plan for Africa, which seeks to deepen cooperation with African countries through strategic investments.
15 hospitals planned across 15 counties
The agreement provides for the construction of 15 hospitals in 15 counties.
The facilities will comprise 13 Level 5 county referral hospitals and two Level 6 national teaching and referral hospitals.
President Ruto said expanding hospital capacity was critical given the country’s current shortage of beds.
Kenya has about 12 hospital beds for every 10,000 people, compared with the World Health Organisation’s recommended benchmark of 25 beds.
“By expanding our hospital capacity, strengthening the referral system and bringing specialised services closer to communities, these facilities will accelerate our progress towards Universal Health Coverage,” Ruto said.
The new hospitals are expected to reduce pressure on major referral facilities, including Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
They will also bring specialised services such as advanced diagnostics, oncology, specialised surgery and intensive care closer to communities.
Government moves to secure financing
The National Treasury will work with the Italian government to finalise financing arrangements for the project, while the Ministry of Health has been tasked with accelerating the technical, regulatory and administrative processes required before construction begins.
Ruto stressed the need for the project to move quickly while maintaining transparency and ensuring value for money.
He said the success of the investment should ultimately be judged by improvements in the lives of Kenyans rather than the agreements signed or infrastructure constructed.
“Ultimately, the true value of these investments will not be in the agreements we sign or the infrastructure we build, but in the lives we improve: The mother who can access specialised care closer to home and the child who receives treatment when it is needed,” he said.
The President added that the government must move from signing the agreement to securing financing, constructing the facilities and ultimately delivering healthcare services.
“We must now move with purpose and urgency from agreement to financing, from financing to construction, and from construction to services that transform lives,” he said.
Kindiki urges counties to support healthcare reforms
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, GKSD Group Chairman Kamel Ghribi, governors and other Kenyan and Italian officials attended the signing ceremony.
Kindiki said healthcare remains a key priority in the government’s transformation agenda.
He noted that the country had made progress in expanding healthcare infrastructure and improving medical equipment, but said county and national governments needed to work together to consolidate the gains.
The Deputy President urged county governments to cooperate with the national government to ensure new investments translate into improved healthcare services for citizens.
The partnership is also expected to strengthen Kenya-Italy cooperation under the Mattei Plan for Africa, with healthcare infrastructure forming part of broader efforts to support economic and social development.
GKSD pledges healthcare expertise
Ghribi said GKSD Group was ready to contribute its experience and expertise to Kenya’s healthcare sector.
He said the group had extensive experience in hospital management and healthcare infrastructure, with operations spanning several countries.
According to Ghribi, GKSD operates 68 hospitals in Italy and 90 in Poland, alongside other healthcare facilities in different parts of the world.
“When I met President Ruto, I looked him in the eye and I realised he is resolute in his commitment to improve the lives of his people,” Ghribi said.
“We are looking forward to building a better healthcare system for Kenyans,” he added.
The company is expected to draw on its international experience as Kenya expands its hospital network and seeks to bring specialised healthcare closer to communities.
The government now faces the task of completing financing arrangements and regulatory processes before the construction phase can begin.
If implemented as planned, the 15 facilities could increase hospital capacity, ease congestion at existing referral hospitals and expand access to specialised treatment across the country.
