The National Land Commission (NLC) has officially allocated 17 acres of land to facilitate the expansion of Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH). In a recent gazette notice, NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi confirmed that the commission had issued a reservation order for Kisii Municipality Block 3/678, granting the County Government of Kisii care, control, and management of the land as a trustee for KTRH.
Otachi emphasized that the reserved land is strictly for hospital-related purposes. The county government cannot transfer ownership without prior approval from the NLC. “In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 15,16,17, and 18 of the Land Act, 2012, and section 105(2) of the Land Registration Act, 2012, the National Land Commission hereby issues this reservation order to reserve and vest the care, control, and management of the land parcel no. Kisii Municipality Block 3/678,” the notice read.
The land, measuring approximately 6.765 hectares, will be managed by the County Government of Kisii for KTRH. Within the next 180 days, the county is required to develop a land use and management plan that adheres to physical planning regulations, ensures regulated community access, and safeguards environmental resources.
Furthermore, the plan must allocate at least 10% of the land to tree and vegetation cover while protecting fragile resources such as water bodies, forests, and wildlife habitats. Any major development will require an Environmental and Social Assessment (ESIA) in line with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999 (EMCA).
The reservation comes nearly eleven months after President William Ruto criticized the slow progress in constructing the hospital’s cancer center. The president had threatened to terminate the contractor’s contract due to delays despite full payment.
This move by the NLC is expected to accelerate the hospital’s expansion, improve healthcare delivery in Kisii County, and enhance access to specialized medical services, including cancer treatment.
