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Nyandarua health sector generated Sh112 million in six months while tourism earned a paltry Sh101,950, sparking a unique "medical tourism" economy in Ol Kalou.

Nyandarua County is witnessing a startling economic inversion where hospitals are generating millions while tourism sites sit largely empty. The county’s health sector raked in a staggering Sh111.9 million in just six months, eclipsing the meager Sh101,950 earned by tourism.
The County Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2025/2026 paints a picture of a region transforming into a medical hub. Between July and December 2024, the health department’s revenue surged, driven by an influx of patients from neighboring Nakuru, Laikipia, Baringo, and Nyeri counties. "We are seeing a steady increase in formal referrals," confirmed Dr. Boniface Gachara, the County Director of Medical Services.
The boom has triggered a ripple effect across the local economy, particularly in Ol Kalou. Hotels and lodgings near JM Memorial Hospital are reporting 100% occupancy rates, not from holidaymakers, but from patients and their families. "Most of our customers are patients seeking services or relatives who cannot travel back home," explained Simon Gacheru, a local hotel owner.
While the health sector thrives, the tourism numbers expose a glaring gap in the county’s revenue streams. Collecting barely Sh100,000 in half a year suggests a near-total collapse or neglect of local attractions. For now, however, Nyandarua’s "health tourism" is inadvertently driving the county’s growth, turning hospital beds into the region’s most sought-after accommodation.
"It is a bittersweet reality," notes a local trader. "Our economy is growing, but it is built on the sickness of our neighbors rather than the beauty of our land."
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