The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths through strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure, including the transformation of Mama Rachel Ruto Specialist Hospital–Mutuini in Dagoretti South, Nairobi County.
The facility, which is being upgraded into a Level 5 specialist referral hospital, has expanded its capacity from 40 to 400 beds and is expected to serve approximately 1.5 million patients annually once operational.
The upgrade is part of Kenya’s efforts to advance women and children’s health under the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) framework, which seeks to accelerate progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality.
The modern facility is equipped with specialized healthcare units, including advanced maternity and newborn care centres, intensive care units, high dependency units, a renal centre, modern diagnostic and radiology services, operating theatres, specialized laboratories and neonatal support services such as human milk banks for vulnerable infants.
Beyond patient care, the hospital is designed to support medical training, specialized consultations and research while easing pressure on major referral facilities, including Kenyatta National Hospital.
The project is nearing completion, with key medical equipment such as dialysis units, CT scan machines and theatre systems already delivered, with installation currently underway.
Construction of additional support facilities, including the kitchen and laundry blocks, is also progressing as preparations continue for the hospital’s operational launch.
The Government says the project has been driven through collaboration between national and county government agencies, with support from the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration in coordinating stakeholders and overseeing implementation at the local level.
Once operational, Mama Rachel Ruto Specialist Hospital–Mutuini is expected to strengthen access to quality and specialized healthcare services for residents of Nairobi and patients from across the country, advancing Kenya’s broader UHC agenda.
