Chegilet Health Centre in Keiyo North, Elgeyo Marakwet, is set to get a major upgrade after the M-Pesa Foundation committed Sh50 million towards the construction of a modern maternity wing.
The facility will cater for about 18,430 residents and aims to ease pressure on overstretched health services in the county.
Plans for the wing include a 12-bed postnatal ward, a 12-bed antenatal ward, a six-bed Kangaroo room, an obstetrics theatre, an induction room, a six-bed labour ward, a two-bed delivery room, and a newborn unit.
Nicholas Ng’ang’a, Chairman of the Foundation, underlined why the organisation continues to channel resources into healthcare.
"Health is a key pillar for M-Pesa Foundation, because we realise that good health is the cornerstone of any thriving community," Nga'ang'a stated.
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"To achieve this, we work closely with our partners to ensure that we bring healthcare closer to the people who need it most, ensuring that no one is left behind, with a focus on maternal and child health and non-communicable diseases."
For frontline staff, the project represents more than new buildings.
Gilbert Biwott, the nurse in charge of Chegilet’s maternity unit, noted the relief it would bring to both patients and health workers.
“This maternity wing will transform how we deliver health services in this region. For years, mothers have had to travel long distances or rely on overstretched facilities for safe deliveries. This is a milestone for Elgeyo Marakwet.”
Elsewhere in Marakwet West, more than 3,000 residents attended a free medical camp at Kapkoros Primary School, organised by the Foundation in partnership with Zuri Health, Lion First Sight Eye Hospital, and the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).
Services included cancer and fistula screenings, eye check-ups, diabetes and hypertension monitoring, consultations with doctors, and child health services.
Residents spoke openly about how the outreach had touched their lives.
Thomas Kamengich, a resident of Marakwet West and one of the beneficiaries, described how the outreach had personally impacted him.
“I have been experiencing eye problems for a long time, but could not afford to see a specialist. At this camp, I was examined and given treatment, and I did not have to spend a single shilling. This kind of support makes us feel seen and cared for,” Kamengich stated.
At Iten County Referral Hospital, new mothers received Mama Packs filled with essentials for babies and mothers.
Valentine Cherop, a mother of twins, expressed how much the support meant for her family.
“As a mother of twins, I was anxious about not having enough for my babies. The Mama Pack has given me confidence and relief, and I truly appreciate the Foundation for thinking about mothers like us,” Cherop explained.
According to the Foundation, its health initiatives have reached more than two million people in all 47 counties, with a strong emphasis on maternal care, non-communicable diseases, and mobile medical outreach.
The new investment in Elgeyo Marakwet adds to that ongoing effort to extend quality healthcare to communities that need it most.
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