National government officials led by Medical Services PS Dr Ouma Oluga during the handover of Gatundu Level 5 hospital to Kiambu county government, December 9, 2025. /MOHThe government has formally transferred the newly refurbished Gatundu Level 5 hospital to the Kiambu county government.
The transfer marks a significant step in efforts to improve healthcare delivery and expand access to specialised services under Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The handover, presided over by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga, follows extensive upgrades undertaken through a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Kiambu county and the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), as outlined in a 2020 Memorandum of Understanding.
Speaking during the handover, Dr Oluga reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that investments in health translate into improved services for communities.
He emphasised that strengthening systems, staffing and infrastructure remains central to the UHC agenda and to achieving equitable access to medical services across the country.
The transition is expected to unlock the full potential of the upgraded facility and support Kiambu county in delivering consistent, high-quality care.
“This facility demonstrates our vision for a health sector where inputs are seen as investments, not expenses. It is part of our collective effort to ensure healthcare is not a burden, but a right,” he said.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga speaks during the handover of Gatundu Level 5 hospital to the Kiambu county government, December 9, 2025. /MOH
The refurbishment of Gatundu Level 5 hospital has been ongoing for several years, with government reports indicating that major improvements were implemented between 2020 and 2023 to expand capacity and modernise service delivery.
Over that period, the facility underwent comprehensive infrastructural upgrades, including the expansion of key wards, the installation of modern diagnostic equipment and the operationalisation of additional specialised units.
According to Ministry of Health data, the refurbishment started contributing to rising patient numbers almost immediately, with 128,400 people seeking services at the facility in the 2021/22 financial year, up from 106,987 the previous year.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga engages with staff during the handover of Gatundu Level 5 hospital to the Kiambu county government, December 9, 2025. /MOHCounty planning documents show that the upgrades included new isolation bed capacity, improvements to the intensive care unit and installation of essential equipment such as digital X-ray and ultrasound machines.
The investments were complemented by support from KUTRRH, which had been mandated under the 2020 MoU to provide technical and operational assistance as the hospital worked to strengthen its referral-level capabilities.
Some previously installed services, including the ICU, CT scan and renal units, had experienced delays in becoming fully functional due to past administrative disputes regarding the management of the hospital.
The transfer of the facility to county control is intended to resolve the governance barriers and ensure that equipment and infrastructure are utilised optimally.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga plants a tree at Gatundu Level 5 hospital to commemorate the handover of the facility to Kiambu county government, December 9, 2025. /MOHThe government maintains that the improvements at the hospital reflect a broader effort to modernise the health sector and ensure that well-equipped referral centres can meet the growing needs of Kenya’s population.
The expanded service capacity is expected to benefit residents of Gatundu South, Gatundu North and neighbouring areas.
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