Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital Begins Operations as Independent National Referral Hospital
Nyeri, Kenya - - Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, presided over the official handover of Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital (MKRH) from the management of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), marking a major milestone in the Government’s efforts to strengthen Kenya’s national referral healthcare system.
The ceremony, held in Othaya, Nyeri County, formally transitioned MKRH from an annex of KNH into an autonomous State Corporation and a fully-fledged National Referral Hospital. The transition expands access to specialized healthcare services, strengthens institutional governance and reinforces Kenya’s national referral network.
Speaking during the handover, Dr. Oluga said the transition demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving access to quality specialized healthcare, strengthening institutional efficiency and accountability, and delivering better health outcomes for Kenyans. He noted that operationalizing MKRH as an independent National Referral Hospital will bring specialized healthcare services closer to communities while enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
The Principal Secretary noted that MKRH was established as an autonomous State Corporation through Legal Notice No. 148 of 2024, providing the institution with an independent Board of Directors, an approved organizational structure and direct Exchequer funding. To facilitate the transition, the State Department for Medical Services constituted a Technical Transition Committee to oversee the orderly transfer of staff, assets, liabilities, functions and operational responsibilities from KNH to MKRH.
While acknowledging the progress made, Dr. Oluga reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting the hospital until it attains full operational independence and effectively delivers on its mandate as a National Referral Hospital.
During the ceremony, the Principal Secretary launched the Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which sets out the hospital’s vision for strengthening specialized healthcare services, advancing medical education and research, enhancing institutional performance and supporting the realization of Universal Health Coverage. 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.
Dr. Oluga also commended 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 teaching and research infrastructure. He noted that the development will significantly enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide advanced healthcare services and strengthen its position as a centre of excellence for specialized healthcare.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital in fully realizing its mandate as a premier National Referral Hospital through the provision of quality specialized healthcare, medical education and research in support of Universal Health Coverage.
The event was attended by members of the Ministry of Health Technical Transition Committee led by its Chairperson, Mr. James Ntabo; Chairperson of the Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital Board, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Robert Kibochi; Chairperson of the Kenyatta National Hospital Board, Dr. Abbas Gullet; Acting Chief Executive Officer of Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital, Dr. Peter Muiruri; Acting Chief Executive Officer of Kenyatta National Hospital, Dr. Richard Lesiyampe; the representative of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, Hon. Duncan Mathenge; Othaya Member of Parliament, Hon. Wambugu Wainaina; the Nyeri County Executive Committee Member for Health representing the Governor of Nyeri County, Ministry of Health officials, hospital staff and local leaders.