Siaya County has started work on two major projects expected to change healthcare and sports in the region. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new inpatient block at the County Referral Hospital and for the final phase of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium.
The inpatient block will cost KSh 500 million and is part of a larger KSh 1.7 billion plan to modernize the referral hospital. Once complete, the facility will add 500 more beds and connect to the surgical theatre that is already operational. Governor James Orengo said the project will reduce the long journeys families make to Eldoret or across the border to Uganda in search of treatment. Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya praised the investment, saying it will bring specialized services closer to the people while creating jobs for Siaya’s youth.
Health Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga urged locals to register with the Social Health Authority so they are ready to benefit from the new services once the block is complete. He said already four in ten residents have signed up and called on more to do so.
The stadium project will cost a total of KSh 900 million, with KSh 700 million already spent on the first phase. President William Ruto has committed KSh 550 million to help finish the work. Once expanded, the stadium’s seating capacity will rise from 5,500 to 20,000. It will also feature new terraces, roofing, and better infrastructure around the venue.
Governor Orengo said the upgraded stadium will be the best outside Nairobi in terms of design and planning. Tuya added that it will not only host football, rugby, and athletics competitions but also provide a modern venue for concerts and community events. She assured Siaya residents that jobs tied to the projects will remain in local hands, with KDF offering only technical guidance and supervision to ensure timelines are kept.
Both projects are expected to open up opportunities for residents. The hospital will improve access to health services and reduce medical costs linked to travel, while the stadium will boost sports, entertainment, and tourism in the county. Together, they signal a strong shift in Siaya’s development priorities.
