Government Taps Diaspora Expertise to Boost Specialised Healthcare at KUTRRH

Kenyan healthcare executive Frederick O. Bw’Ombongi will take part in a specialised medical camp at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) as part of a government programme that connects diaspora professionals with local institutions.

Bw’Ombongi, Vice President of Operations, Ancillary and Support Services at Allina Health in Minnesota, met Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu in Nairobi on Friday to discuss the upcoming initiative. The medical camp will focus on urology, oncology and cardiovascular care, bringing together Kenyan specialists based abroad and local medical teams to improve access to specialised treatment.

The programme is part of the government's Diaspora Skills, Knowledge and Technology Transfer Programme, which aims to create structured opportunities for Kenyans living overseas to contribute their expertise to national development. The initiative reflects a broader effort to encourage diaspora professionals to support key sectors by sharing their knowledge, skills and experience.

Njogu said partnerships between diaspora experts and local healthcare workers can strengthen Kenya's health system by introducing advanced medical practices and improving professional skills. She noted that the upcoming camp builds on a pilot programme held in 2025, which showed the benefits of collaboration between diaspora specialists and local institutions in delivering specialised care while supporting knowledge exchange.

For many years, Kenyans living abroad have been recognised mainly for the remittances they send home. The government is now seeking to make greater use of their professional expertise, international networks and technical knowledge to support development across different sectors.

In healthcare, where specialist skills remain limited in some areas, collaboration with diaspora professionals could help expand treatment capacity and encourage the adoption of advanced medical practices. By working alongside local teams, they can contribute to both patient care and the development of healthcare professionals.

The KUTRRH medical camp reflects this approach by integrating diaspora expertise into Kenya's healthcare system. Alongside providing specialised services, the programme is intended to strengthen local capacity through skills transfer and professional collaboration.