President William Ruto has announced the establishment of Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital as an independent national medical facility, alongside a KSh500 million investment to upgrade it. He also revealed that the government has invested KSh21 billion in Nyeri County for markets, affordable housing, and student hostels, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive national development.
President William Ruto has gazetted Mwai Kibaki Hospital in Othaya as an independent Level 6 hospital, formally recognizing it as a top-tier national referral facility in honor of Kenya’s third President, the late Mwai Kibaki.
The decision elevates the hospital to the highest classification in Kenya’s public healthcare system, granting it greater administrative and operational autonomy. As a Level 6 facility, the hospital is now positioned to offer advanced and specialized medical services, strengthen referral capacity, and play a key role in medical training and research.
The gazettement is seen as a tribute to President Kibaki’s legacy, particularly his strong emphasis on economic management, infrastructure development, and investment in public institutions. Locating the Level 6 hospital in Othaya, Kibaki’s home area, further cements the symbolic significance of the move.
Health sector stakeholders say the new status is expected to improve service delivery, attract specialist personnel, and enhance access to high-quality healthcare for residents of Nyeri County and the wider Mt Kenya region, while also easing pressure on other national referral hospitals.
The move aligns with the government’s broader health agenda aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure, decentralizing specialized services, and improving access to quality care across the country.
With the gazettement now in effect, Mwai Kibaki Hospital joins Kenya’s elite group of Level 6 facilities, marking a major milestone in the evolution of healthcare services in central Kenya and preserving the legacy of a former president through a lasting public institution.
