The Kisii County government will strengthen its partnership with Kisii University to foster development, Governor James Ongwae has said.
Speaking during Kisii University’s third graduation ceremony on Friday, Mr Ongwae said the institution had immensely contributed to the economic development of Kisii County.
He noted that through collaboration with the university, the county had elevated Kisii Hospital into a teaching and referral facility adding that this had significantly improved healthcare services.
“Kisii University is strategic to the economic development of the county. With a population of over 15,000 students, the institution has contributed to the growth of business in Kisii Town. We already have collaborative arrangements with the university which we intend to enhance,” said Ongwae.
He said the county had invested heavily in the infrastructural upgrade of the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital to ensure it is ready to house the medical school set to be run by the university.
“Specialist doctors teaching at the medical school will also offer services to our people at the hospital thus complementing our efforts to bring world class services close to the people. We ask that the university speeds up plans to establish the medical school,” he added.
Over 3,000 students graduated with diplomas, bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees.
Ongwae said the county government had secured a Sh2 billion loan from the Arab Bank for African Development to establish a modern cancer treatment centre at the Kisii hospital.
This will be the third such facility in the country after those at Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
“We shall support the institution by creating an enabling environment for their operations. In this financial year, we shall erect solar powered streetlights from Mwembe junction up to the university gate to boost security.
The University’s Chancellor Prof Godfrey Muriuki said he was glad the institution had a committed partner in the Kisii County government.