MTRH breaks ground for Sh200m children’s neurodevelopment centre

The Wezesha Watoto Children’s Neurodevelopment Centre is set to transform care for children with autism, cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.

MTRH chief executive officer Dr Phillip Kirwa described the project as a milestone in the hospital’s mission to provide inclusive and compassionate care. 

Valued at more than Sh200 million, the centre will be the first of its kind in the region, designed as a one-stop hub. 

“This will be a unique centre where services will include early screening and diagnosis, speech and occupational therapy, behavioural and educational support, caregiver and teacher training and family counseling,” Kirwa said at the groundbreaking ceremony in Eldoret.

He spoke passionately about the need to bring children with developmental disorders out of the shadows. 

“Many of these children are hidden in homes and denied the care they need. We are urging our communities to understand that with the right support, these children can thrive and realise their potential,” he said.

The Wezesha Watoto Centre—Swahili for ‘Empowering Children’—will accommodate up to 300 children at a time. 

Beyond care, it will serve as a hub for training clinicians, educators and community health workers in early childhood development, autism diagnosis and inclusive education.

Kirwa credited the initiative to a decade-long partnership between Kenyan and US paediatric specialists under the Ampath Kenya collaboration. 

Support from Ampath and other donors, he noted, has made it possible for families to finally access quality care without having to travel long distances or suffer in silence.

Professor Eren Oyungu, a paediatrician at MTRH and senior lecturer at Moi University, hailed the new centre as a turning point. 

“For too long, children with developmental challenges have been overlooked,” he said.

“This centre ensures every child gets specialised care and the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Dr Megan McHenry, associate professor of pediatrics at Indiana University and a lead partner in the project, said the initiative represents hope and dignity. 

“Our teams walk alongside families to ensure they have access to care, services and hope,” she said, adding that well-child clinics will also be integrated within the centre to reduce stigma and build awareness.

The centre builds upon years of research and innovation through Ampath’s neurodevelopmental programme, which has championed projects such as Pepea Pamoja—a caregiver support group, Tumaini—a toilet training initiative developed with Kenyan families and Takia—a digital platform helping peer mentors and community leaders reduce stigma around disability.

As local families, health experts and international partners gathered to witness the groundbreaking, the mood was one of optimism. 

For many parents who have spent years searching for answers, the Wezesha Watoto Centre represents more than just a building—it is a promise that every child, regardless of ability, deserves the chance to grow, learn and belong.