JOOTRH breaks ground on new NICU/PICU at Obama Children’s Hospital

KENYA—Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu has marked a major milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Obama Children’s Hospital.

The Safaricom M-PESA Foundation provided a KSh 98 million grant (USD 760,000), while JOOTRH contributed matching funds of KSh 25 million (USD 194,000).

This partnership funds the construction of a nine-bed NICU and an eight-bed PICU, along with consultation rooms, a pharmacy, and other essential areas.

Workers expect to complete the facility within ten months, by October 2026.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o served as the chief guest and praised the architectural designs presented during the event.

 He called the project a bold fix for a deep unfairness in Kenya’s health system. Millions of children in the Lake Region, which serves nearly 15 million people, have lacked access to proper neonatal and paediatric intensive care.

Families often travel long distances to Nairobi or rely on adult ICUs that do not suit young patients.

Governor Nyong’o stressed that the new unit will change this by bringing lifesaving care closer to home.

Safaricom Foundation Chairperson Joseph Ogutu highlighted the hospital’s current overcrowding and high referral rates.

He explained that the project fits into the M-PESA Foundation’s Maternal and Child Health Initiative, which aims to cut maternal and infant deaths and help more children reach their fifth birthday.

Ogutu noted that the facility will ease financial strains on families, reduce the need for distant transfers, and save lives from conditions like severe infections, breathing problems, prematurity complications, and other threats.

Dr. Hezron Omollo, representing the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s strong support.

He pointed to national pushes to grow specialized services at JOOTRH, including studies backed by the African Development Bank, better referral networks, and new facilities across Kisumu County.

JOOTRH CEO Dr. Joshua Okise welcomed the effort as a key step toward Level 6A status, boosting teaching, research, and referral roles.

Director of Obama Children’s Hospital, Dr. Lolla Molla, added that her semi-autonomous unit, which runs 24-hour services, will evolve into a full standalone center with all paediatric care under one roof.

The new beds will nearly double Kenya’s public critical care capacity for children. Right now, the country has just 14 such beds, all in Nairobi: six at Kenyatta National Hospital, five at Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, and three at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.

JOOTRH’s addition will raise that total to 31, spreading expert care beyond the capital.

Governor Nyong’o pointed out the region’s heavy dependence on facilities like the ‘Shoe4Africa’ PICU at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, which often runs at full capacity.

He warned that without local options, children end up in adult wards with mismatched equipment, raising risks in their first critical hours.

The ceremony drew top officials, including Dr. Hezron Omolo from the Ministry of Health’s Infrastructure Projects, Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo, Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, JOOTRH Board Member Prof. Boniface Ganda, and CEO Dr. Joshua Clinton Okise.