By Samwel Makene and Samson Wire
The County Government of Siaya, in partnership with the Safaricom M-PESA Foundation, has constructed and equipped the new Nyenye Misori Dispensary in West Yimbo Ward, Bondo Constituency. This modern outpatient facility features a laboratory, pharmacy, consultation rooms, nursing station, reception, and a children’s play area. The handover, received by the Nyalore Administration under Governor James Orengo, marks another milestone in the county’s strategic partnership with the M-PESA Foundation, which continues to support transformative community development initiatives across Siaya County. The Foundation was represented by its Independent Non-Executive Director, Mr Edward Okaro.
The commissioning and handover ceremony was accompanied by a free medical camp undertaken by the Safaricom Foundation, Zuri Health, and Siaya County Department of Health, offering residents an opportunity to access essential medical services and consultations at no cost The newly constructed Level Two healthcare facility is designed to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services in a modern, accessible and patient-friendly environment. Its infrastructure incorporates disability-friendly features, including wheelchair accessibility, accessible entrances and ramps, as well as ample parking space.
The outpatient block houses dedicated service areas for maternal and child healthcare, immunisation, accident and emergency care, family planning, and comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment services. The facility is expected to significantly improve access to essential medical services for residents of Nyenye-Misori and neighbouring communities, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances in search of basic healthcare. The investment by Safaricom M-PESA Foundation forms part of its broader commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving access to essential medical services, particularly among underserved rural populations.
The Nyenye-Misori outpatient block is among several healthcare infrastructure projects being implemented through the partnership between the County Government of Siaya and M-PESA Foundation.
Another flagship project is the KSh 52 million Tingare Maternity Unit, which is designed to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services.
The facility comprises a 14-bed postnatal ward, a six-bed labour ward and a three-bed delivery ward. It is also equipped with a nine-bed newborn unit, a dedicated kangaroo care room and modern nursing stations to enhance the quality of care provided to mothers and newborns. The kangaroo care unit will support essential newborn care practices, including skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their babies, promoting breastfeeding, bonding and improved newborn health outcomes. The maternity facility also incorporates consultation rooms, a reception area and a pharmacy, providing an integrated environment for maternal healthcare services.
The project fulfils a commitment made by Governor James Orengo during its groundbreaking in early 2025, underscoring his administration’s determination to expand access to quality maternal and child healthcare. Through its collaboration with M-PESA Foundation, the Nyalore Administration has mobilised significant investments in healthcare, education and economic empowerment initiatives, with the combined portfolio reported at approximately KSh 198 million. These investments are making a meaningful contribution to the livelihoods of more than 200,000 people in Siaya County and beyond, particularly vulnerable households that rely on accessible and affordable public healthcare services.
The partnership also extends to Nyang’u Dispensary in West Ugenya, where the two institutions undertook the groundbreaking of a maternity unit in December last year. The initiative was complemented by community outreach programmes and a Corporate Social Responsibility medical camp, through which more than 3,000 residents benefited from free medical services. Beyond its partnerships with development agencies and corporate institutions, the County Government of Siaya continues to implement an ambitious programme to modernise healthcare infrastructure across the county.
At Siaya County Referral Hospital, the administration is undertaking Phase Two of the facility’s expansion and modernisation programme, aimed at upgrading the institution into a modern Level Five referral hospital. The expansion programme, supported by a combined investment of KSh 1.2 billion from the County and National Governments, is expected to significantly strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide specialised outpatient and inpatient services. The planned Phase Two development includes a 250-bed capacity, while the broader hospital complex development incorporates a proposed 500-bed mother-and-child healthcare facility, alongside specialised emergency, dialysis and surgical units. These investments are intended to position Siaya County Referral Hospital as a major regional healthcare centre, capable of handling increasingly complex medical cases and reducing referrals outside the county.
Other major healthcare infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Nyalore Administration include the Urenga Health Centre in East Ugenya, where construction of a KSh 50 million two-storey inpatient and diagnostics complex is nearing completion. The facility will house a theatre, X-ray and ultrasound services, as well as inpatient wards, significantly enhancing access to diagnostic and treatment services for residents in the area. At Bar-Ndege in East Ugenya, the county is also developing modern two-storey healthcare infrastructure incorporating inpatient services, an administration complex, isolation facilities, a minor theatre and diagnostic services.
Similarly, the Ukwala Sub-County Hospital Annex in Ugenya Sub-County is being equipped with a 50-bed maternity wing, an operating theatre, radiology, X-ray and eye-care services. At Yala Sub-County Hospital, investments in a modern operating theatre, maternity wing and casualty unit are expected to strengthen emergency and specialised healthcare services. Given the facility’s strategic location and the population it serves, the improvements are set to benefit more than 50,000 residents, including communities along the county’s western borders.
The County Government of Siaya continues to strengthen collaborations with development partners and healthcare organisations to address persistent public health challenges. Among its partners are AMREF Health Africa and TANGO Doctors, with joint interventions focusing on combating malaria, waterborne diseases and other public health challenges through community-based healthcare initiatives and improved access to medical services.
The Nyalore Administration’s broader healthcare agenda is anchored on expanding health infrastructure, improving service delivery, strengthening preventive and curative care, and ensuring that residents can access quality healthcare closer to their homes. Through strategic partnerships, targeted investments and sustained infrastructure development, the County Government remains committed to building a resilient, inclusive and responsive healthcare system that places the wellbeing of every resident at the centre of development.
Those present during the handover included Acting County Secretary Elizabeth Adongo; Acting County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation, Eng. Eric Odawa; CECM for Finance and Economic Planning, CPA Dan Okoth; CECM for Tourism, Sports, Culture and Arts, Dr Kut Ochogo; and CECM for Governance, Administration and ICT, Joseph Rading. Others were Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation Services, Dr Omondi Owino; Chief Officer for ICT and Public Service Transformation, Maurine Awuor; CO Tourism Wilfred Nyagudi, CO Land Joseph Oloo Mboha, and other County Government officials.
