Residents of Maara Constituency in Tharaka Nithi County have witnessed a major milestone following the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Maara campus of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Magutuni.
Speaking during the event, Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki said the journey to establish the project started nearly a decade ago when residents requested a medical training facility in the area.
He explained that the establishment of the campus required key conditions, including the availability of a Level Four hospital and at least 10 acres of land.
Owing to these considerations, he added, Magutuni emerged as the only location within the constituency that met both requirements, with the land initially belonging to a local cooperative union and held in trust by the county government.
Mbiuki thanked the community for releasing the land, noting that in collaboration with the county government, the property has since been transferred to KMTC, with the title deed now in the institution’s name.
“This is the reason we are here to start this journey together,” said Mbiuki.
He also acknowledged the county government for allowing the institution to be attached to Magutuni Level Four Hospital, a move expected to enhance healthcare training and service delivery in the region.
Mbiuki revealed that the Maara National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has allocated funds across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years to finance the construction of key facilities, including tuition blocks, laboratories, and an administration block.
He added that the national government, under President William Ruto, has also committed to constructing student hostels once the project begins and undergoes inspection.
He expressed optimism that the campus and hostel facilities could be completed within a year.
“I now urge the local residents to invest in private hostels to accommodate students, considering that learners could still enrol even if government hostels are not ready,” said Mr Mbiuki.
Tharaka Nithi Deputy Governor Nyaga Muisraeli praised the collaborative efforts between the national and county governments, saying the project marks the realisation of a long-held dream.
He noted that the county executive approved the allocation of land due to its proximity to Magutuni Level Four Hospital.
The Project Chairman Mark Kiruja, said the institution would significantly benefit the local population by reducing the need for students to travel long distances in search of medical training.
He added that the campus would also create business opportunities for the surrounding community during construction and after completion.
Kiruja further noted that the project, estimated to cost Sh360 million, is expected to boost service delivery at Magutuni Level Four Hospital and potentially support its upgrade.
A local resident, Reverend Alice Mutwiri, welcomed the project, saying it would uplift the community economically by creating demand for housing and agricultural produce while enabling local students to save on accommodation costs.
By Dickson Mwiti
