By Benard Lusigi | Mar. 5, 2026
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa inspects the construction of Bukhungu Stadium on March 4, 2026. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]
Political leaders in Kakamega County are being urged to rise above the fray of partisanship as they engage in discussions surrounding significant mega projects that are being undertaken through collaboration between national and county governments. This call for unity is particularly relevant as critical infrastructure, such as the Sh10 billion Kakamega Level Six Referral Hospital and the Sh6.6 billion Bukhungu International Stadium, are in the works.
In a recent inspection tour on March 4, 2026, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa expressed optimism that these projects are on track for completion within the next six months. He highlighted the need for leaders to set aside political differences and join forces to expedite development in the region.
“To those critics spreading negativity on social media alleging that no progress is being made, it is time to stop and unite in driving development for our people. I invite them to come and witness the ongoing work for themselves,” asserted Barasa.
The governor emphasized the importance of supporting initiatives that aim to improve the living conditions for the people of Kakamega. “We need to depoliticize government interventions to ensure the successful completion of all projects,” he added.
Governor Barasa also mentioned that his administration has begun an inventory of medical equipment in conjunction with the Ministry of Health under a national equipment support program, underscoring the commitment to equip the new hospital adequately.
“Our aim is to have all necessary medical equipment in place by the time we officially open this facility in August. It won’t just provide healthcare; it will also create around 2,000 jobs and serve as a training ground for medical students from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology,” he explained. Excitingly, the President is also expected to visit Kakamega later this month to review the hospital’s progress, which is supported at a national level.
The journey for the Kakamega Level Six Referral Hospital began back in 2016, with the project receiving an additional Sh2 billion from the national government to facilitate its completion. Governor Barasa reassured that any pending bills owed to the former contractor will be settled alongside the ongoing work.
Turning to Bukhungu Stadium, the governor noted that construction is currently over 50% complete and is on target to be finished by the end of this year. He shared details about an expedited program agreed upon with contractors to ensure that construction timelines are met.
“The county government has committed an extra Sh600 million alongside support from the national government for the completion of this project,” Barasa stated, highlighting the cooperative nature of the undertaking, which involves both the county and national governments through the Ministry of Sports.
Emphasizing the importance of a robust workforce presence at the construction site, Barasa indicated that increasing manpower and facilitating simultaneous work activities would be critical in adhering to project timelines. He expressed confidence that once completed, Bukhungu Stadium would be recognized as a premier venue for sporting events, potentially serving as a host site for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Having already successfully hosted the Cecafa Under-18 Championships, Bukhungu Stadium is poised to be among the venues for the 2027 AFCON, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. The county government has already invested notable sums into various phases of the stadium’s construction, totaling Sh875 million for preliminary work, with specific allocations of Sh475 million and Sh400 million for subsequent phases.
The first phase incorporated critical infrastructure elements such as county government offices, parking spaces for 200 vehicles, as well as construction of the stands, VIP/VVIP rooms, and necessary facilities for doping control and changing areas. The second phase saw the development of the main VIP stand, terracing, gym space, and additional changing rooms.
Looking ahead, the southern ‘C’ section is scheduled for advancements including lighting installation, completion of changing rooms, and the conversion of natural ground to meet CAF standards, with expected progress in the next three months. The ambitions for these projects remain high, with plans to create a top-tier venue for sports and community events in the heart of Kakamega County.