Natembeya Plans to Convert Wamalwa Kijana Hospital Into University Amid Ruto Feud
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has announced plans to turn the Wamalwa Kijana Hospital into a university, amid a feud with President William Ruto over the construction of a new Level 5 hospital in the county.
Speaking to the media on Monday, October 19, Natembeya reiterated that he was not opposed to development projects in the area, particularly the construction of the new hospital by the National Government.
However, Natembeya argued that Trans Nzoia already had several hospitals and would benefit more from a new university than another hospital.
‘We Cannot Have Four Hospitals in the Same Town’
Natembeya said he would convert Wamalwa Kijana Hospital into a university once the proposed KSh1 billion Level 5 hospital, to be built by the national government, is completed, arguing that the county would then have more than four Level 4 and Level 5 health facilities.
“Trans Nzoia as a county also deserves development because we pay taxes. We have four hospitals in the same town, so upon completion of the KSh1 billion hospital, we will transform the Wamalwa Kijana Hospital into a university because we cannot have four hospitals in the same town,” Natembeya stated.
A County Without a University
Trans Nzoia is among the counties without an independent official public or private university within it.
In May 2025, the county government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bells University of Technology in Nigeria to help establish Trans Nzoia University.
It remains unclear whether the transformation of the Wamalwa Kijana Hospital into a university will be a result of this partnership.
The Feud With Ruto
The announcement comes amid a feud between Natembeya and Ruto over the construction of the new hospital after the president accused the governor of frustrating the proposal.
Natembeya has, however, said he will allow the construction of the facility, welcoming the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers who are supposed to undertake the construction to come and build the facility.
“He is saying he has a KSh1 billion for another hospital. I have said we will not frustrate the construction of the facility and we will fully cooperate,” he added.
Devolution Dispute
Besides the new hospital, Natembeya has also accused Ruto of interference in devolution after the president officially opened the Masinde Muliro market.
According to the governor, the market was built with county funds with support from the World Bank, claiming the national government is boasting about projects that are not its own.
What Happens Next
The planned transformation of Wamalwa Kijana Hospital into a university will depend on the completion of the new Level 5 facility. In the meantime, the political tension between Natembeya and the national government over development projects in Trans Nzoia appears set to continue.