First lady Mama Rachel Ruto receives a consignment of cochlear implant devices at State House on Friday, October 31, 2025/SCREENGRABFirst Lady Mama Rachel Ruto has presided over the handover of a consignment of cochlear implant devices donated to Kenya by the Kingdom of Morocco in a ceremony held at State House, Nairobi.
The devices, valued at over Sh120 million, were presented to the First Lady on behalf of the Moroccan royal family by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
The consignment was a donation from Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Asma of Morocco and is expected to benefit children and adults suffering from severe hearing loss.
During the brief ceremony on Friday morning, Mama Rachel received the packages, neatly wrapped in brown boxes, accompanied by senior government officials, including the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Doctor Ouma Oluga, the CEO of Kenyatta National Hospital, and a team of medical specialists.
In her remarks, the First Lady expressed her gratitude to the Moroccan royal family and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening health partnerships that enhance the quality of life for Kenyans.
“On behalf of the people of Kenya and His Excellency President William Ruto, I wish to extend our deepest gratitude to Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Asma of Morocco for the generous donation of cochlear implants valued at over Sh120 million,” she said.
She also thanked the Ministry of Health for its commitment to ensuring that the cochlear implants reach deserving children across the country.
"The Ministry of Health's support in coordinating both surgical procedures and essential surgery therapy will enable beneficiaries to fully embrace a new phase of life, one defined by sound, connection and opportunity."
Cochlear implants are advanced medical devices designed to help people with profound hearing loss by directly stimulating the auditory nerve.
In Kenya, only a limited number of patients can access such interventions due to the high cost of the implants and surgery.
Speaking during the ceremony, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, said the Ministry of Health would work closely with specialists to ensure that the devices are distributed and implanted under strict medical standards.
“We are going to work with doctors to make sure that the policy and standards align with the energy you (Mama Rachel) have put into solving the problems of the forgotten,” said Oluga.
“We will ensure that all procedures are of the highest quality, and for the next six to eight months, the follow-up process will be standardised.”
The PS also commended the First Lady and President Ruto for spearheading initiatives that strengthen healthcare delivery and open opportunities for collaboration with international partners.
