This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
Kenya Medical Research Institute's (Kemri) Kirinyaga Centre, a Sh15 billion project, is set to receive its title deed on October 1 after a deal was brokered by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.
According to sources, Kibicho facilitated a meeting between the Interior and Coordination of National Government cabinet secretary, Fred Matiang'i, and local leaders at Harambee House in Nairobi, resolving the issue of the title deed.
Eight Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from Kirinyaga and all the area Members of Parliament (MPs), including the women representative and the senator, attended the meeting in the presence of the county's deputy governor, Peter Ndambi.
The county government had made demands to Kemri before issuing the title deed, including considering locals in tenders and employment. Kemri has already erected a perimeter wall on the 100-acre land, which was set aside by former area governor Joseph Ndathi for the centre.
The Kirinyaga Centre, when fully operational, will serve residents from Central, Eastern, and North Eastern regions with specialized treatment. The centre will comprise a post-graduate university, research centre, hospital, and diagnostic laboratory.
Records from Kemri indicate that the university wing will admit post-graduate students in various disciplines and accommodate Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students.
“I think we should be grateful to the government for such an important project which will not only serve Kirinyaga people but the entire northern region,” said an area MCA.
