The Government has officially handed over Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital (MKRH) from the management of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), marking a significant step in strengthening Kenya’s national referral healthcare system and expanding access to specialized medical services.
The handover ceremony, presided over by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga in Othaya, Nyeri County, formally transformed the facility from a KNH annex into an autonomous State Corporation and a fully-fledged National Referral Hospital.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Oluga said the transition underscores the Government’s commitment to improving access to quality specialized healthcare, enhancing institutional efficiency and accountability, and delivering better health outcomes for Kenyans.
He noted that operationalizing Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital as an independent national referral facility will bring specialized healthcare services closer to communities while strengthening the country’s ability to respond to the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.
“The transition reflects the Government’s commitment to improving access to quality specialized healthcare, strengthening institutional efficiency and accountability, and delivering better health outcomes for Kenyans,” Dr. Oluga said.
The Principal Secretary explained that Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital was established as an autonomous State Corporation through Legal Notice No. 148 of 2024, giving it an independent Board of Directors, an approved organizational structure, and direct funding from the National Treasury.
To ensure a smooth transition, the State Department for Medical Services constituted a Technical Transition Committee to oversee the transfer of staff, assets, liabilities, functions and operational responsibilities from Kenyatta National Hospital to the new institution.
While acknowledging the progress made, Dr. Oluga reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting the hospital until it achieves full operational independence and effectively delivers on its mandate as a National Referral Hospital.
During the ceremony, the Principal Secretary also launched the Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which outlines the institution’s roadmap for expanding specialized healthcare services, strengthening medical education and research, improving institutional performance, and supporting the realization of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
According to Dr. Oluga, the strategic plan is aligned with the Kenya Health Policy 2014–2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Kenya Vision 2030, and the Fourth Medium-Term Plan.
He further praised the ongoing expansion of the hospital’s infrastructure, including the construction of the Mwai Kibaki Tower, which will house specialized medical and surgical units, advanced diagnostic services, critical care facilities, and modern training and research infrastructure.
Dr. Oluga said the new development will significantly improve access to advanced healthcare services while positioning the hospital as a centre of excellence for specialized healthcare, medical training and research.
The Government reiterated its commitment to supporting Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital in fully delivering its mandate as a premier National Referral Hospital through the provision of quality specialized healthcare, medical education and research in line with the country’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
The event was attended by members of the Ministry of Health Technical Transition Committee led by Chairperson James Ntabo, Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital Board Chairperson Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Robert Kibochi, Kenyatta National Hospital Board Chairperson Dr. Abbas Gullet, Acting MKRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Peter Muiruri, Acting KNH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health representative Duncan Mathenge, Othaya MP Wambugu Wainaina, Nyeri County health officials, Ministry of Health representatives, hospital staff and local leaders.
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