Uhuru to Open 650-Bed Kenyatta University Referral Hospital

Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital is set to be inaugurated next week after months of delay.

Speaking during a tour of the hospital on Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said the 650-bed facility will open its doors to the public on October 28th. 

Ms. Kariuki indicated that the hospital will have 150 beds, specifically for cancer and renal patients, operating in the initial stage.

"I am satisfied that the facility will be fully operational in a week's time and that's why I came here personally to monitor and evaluate the progress," said Kariuki.

She was flanked by the hospital’s board chair Prof. Olive Mugenda and the chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Toro.

CS Kariuki explained that the facility will be 100 percent referral with 40 doctors and over 100 other medical staff on call.

"We are sensitizing the surrounding community that this will not be a walk-in and walk-out facility," said Kariuki.

She also noted that the oncology department will be 100 percent operational while the renal unit will be functioning at 50 percent capacity.

On her part, Prof. Mugenda regretted the delayed opening of the hospital which was supposed to be operational in August this year.

"We regret the delay which was inevitable as we had to test the equipment and hire members of staff,” she said.

President Kenyatta is expected to officially preside over the inauguration ceremony.