Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has announced plans to convert Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital into a university once the national government completes the construction of a proposed KSh 1 billion Level 5 hospital in the county.
Speaking to the media on Monday, October 19, 2026, Natembeya maintained that he was not opposed to development projects initiated by the national government but argued that Trans Nzoia would benefit more from a university than another hospital within the same town.
The governor said the county already has several major health facilities and that completing the proposed hospital would increase the number of Level 4 and Level 5 facilities serving residents.
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“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 KSh 1 billion hospital, we will transform the Wamalwa Kijana Hospital into a university because we cannot have four hospitals in the same town,” Natembeya stated.
His remarks come amid an ongoing disagreement with President William Ruto over the proposed Level 5 hospital, with the President previously accusing the governor of frustrating plans to construct the facility.
Natembeya has, however, insisted that his administration will cooperate with the national government to ensure the project proceeds. He has also welcomed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers expected to undertake the construction.
“He is saying he has a KSh 1 billion for another hospital. I have said we will not frustrate the construction of the facility and we will fully cooperate,” the governor added.
The proposed conversion of Wamalwa Kijana Hospital into a university would mark a significant shift in the county’s development priorities, placing greater emphasis on expanding access to higher education alongside investments in healthcare.
In May 2025, the Trans Nzoia County Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bells University of Technology in Nigeria to support plans to establish Trans Nzoia University.
However, it remains unclear whether the proposed transformation of Wamalwa Kijana Hospital will be undertaken through that partnership or whether a separate arrangement will be pursued.
The university proposal comes as Trans Nzoia continues to pursue plans to expand its education infrastructure. The county has been reported to lack an independent public or private university within its borders, making the establishment of a local institution a potential priority for the county government.
Beyond the hospital dispute, Natembeya has also criticised what he describes as interference by the national government in devolved functions.
The governor recently raised concerns following President Ruto’s official opening of the Masinde Muliro market, arguing that the project was financed using county government funds with support from the World Bank.
Natembeya accused the national government of taking credit for projects he says were implemented through county resources, further highlighting the disagreements between the two levels of government over development projects and the management of public resources.
The planned Level 5 hospital and the proposed university are expected to remain key issues in discussions about Trans Nzoia’s development priorities as the county government and national administration pursue their respective projects.
While Natembeya has indicated that he will support the construction of the new hospital, details of the proposed conversion of Wamalwa Kijana Hospital into a university, including its implementation framework and timeline, have yet to be clarified.
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