The Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, has recorded a significant turnaround in healthcare delivery, marked by a sharp decline in maternal mortality and a surge in pharmaceutical availability, the hospital’s board announced Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
Addressing hospital staff and management during an end-of-year strategic meeting, Board Chairman Prof. Ferdinand Nangole stated that the facility has overcome past hurdles and is now on a robust path to attaining Level 5 status, driven by a motivated workforce and improved county relations.
“This hospital had challenges. Now, because of your commitment and because of your hard work, we can see that the hospital is moving in the right direction. When you look at the indicators. It is as clear as day that maternal mortality has gone down. This is something that we should all be proud of,” Prof. Nangole said.
He also highlighted that the availability of Health Products and Technologies (HPTs), specifically pharmaceuticals, had risen to between 80 and 90 percent.
The board further projects thag this will hit 95 to 100 percent by 2026.
“When patients come here, they won’t be looking for drugs outside. We will have those drugs available,” he said.
When will Wamalwa Kijana Hospital casuals be be employed on permanent terms?
Addressing long-standing labour grievances, particularly within the nursing cadre, Prof. Nangole announced a breakthrough following negotiations with the Trans Nzoia County Governor and the County Executive Committee (CEC) for Health.
Beginning next year, staff currently serving on “locum” (casual) terms will be transitioned to Permanent and Pensionable (P&P) terms.
Additionally, the hospital has empowered its internal Human Resource department to fast track delayed promotions and fill vacancies left by natural attrition.
“We need to work on the new staff establishment. According to the old hospital records, our nurse requirement is only 150. But the reality is this hospital requires more than 350 nurses,” Prof. Ferdinand explained.
In addition, the board outlined an aggressive infrastructure upgrade aimed at shifting the facility from a Level 4 hospital to a Level 5 Teaching and Referral Hospital.
This upgrade is crucial for increasing insurance reimbursements and improving hospital revenue.
Construction has already commenced on a modern Amenity Unit on the second floor, slated for completion by March 2026. This unit is designed to curb referrals to Eldoret or Nairobi for patients seeking premium services.
