When Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) was elevated to a Level Six national facility, it was both a triumph and a turning point for Kisumu’s health system. The upgrade placed the city at the heart of Kenya’s specialist healthcare map — but it also shifted day-to-day county medical responsibilities to the Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH), formerly the district hospital.
Now the question looms large: can KCRH truly rise to the occasion and meet the county’s healthcare demand?
Kisumu’s Department of Health, under the leadership of County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Dr. Gregory Ganda, believes it can — and must. Dr. Ganda, himself an oncologist by profession, says the hospital is already showing signs of resilience and renewal.
“Kisumu County Referral Hospital is on a steady take-off path,” he affirms. “We have expanded our maternal bed capacity to 300 from 190, modernized our theatres, and enhanced diagnostic services — all with one goal: to bring quality, dignified care closer to our people.”
He adds that the county is exploring semi-autonomous status for KCRH as a strategy to boost internal efficiency and sustainability.
“We want to empower the hospital to collect and plough back its own revenue,” Dr. Ganda explains. “Semi-autonomy will give us flexibility — to hire when we must, invest where it matters, and respond faster to emerging healthcare needs.”
Indeed, visible progress supports his optimism. The county recently unveiled an ultra-modern maternity theatre, rolled out a digital health transformation roadmap, and improved emergency medical services. These initiatives are designed to make KCRH the anchor of Kisumu’s devolved healthcare network — one that can absorb the patient load once shouldered by JOOTRH.
Kisumu County Referral Hospital has recently increased its bed capacity from 190 to 300, installed CCTV for enhanced security, opened a new Eye Unit, and is in the process of acquiring a modern Diagnostic Center.
Responding to growing demand from patients for better and more modern facilities, the County plans to begin construction of a new Outpatient Complex within this financial year, to be followed by a comprehensive Inpatient Complex.
The County’s Digital Health Roadmap to be completed this year, will link dozens of facilities, easing referrals and ensuring that patient information flows seamlessly across the system.
Still, infrastructure alone will not guarantee transformation. The real challenge lies in human resources, financing, and governance. While JOOTRH now enjoys national funding and specialist allocations, KCRH must rely on a leaner county budget.
Sustaining momentum will require strategic hiring, continuous professional training, and robust accountability systems.
Dr. Ganda acknowledges the challenge — but also sees opportunity.
“The elevation of JOOTRH is a blessing — a chance for us to strengthen our own county referral systems while collaborating with a national teaching hospital right at our doorstep.”
Such collaboration — through shared expertise, joint referrals, and mentorship programs — could help both institutions thrive in complementary roles.
Ultimately, success will depend on transparency and measurable outcomes. The county must track and publish performance indicators such as surgical turnaround times, maternal outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Accountability, not announcements, will determine whether KCRH truly steps up.
If Kisumu maintains its current pace — with sustained investment, sound management, and innovative leadership — Kisumu County Referral Hospital could emerge as a flagship model of devolved healthcare excellence.
As Dr. Ganda puts it:
“Our mission is simple — to ensure that no Kisumu resident travels far for quality care. The journey we began is already bearing fruit, and we are determined to keep moving forward for even better outcomes.”
In the end, that journey — and the lives it transforms — will be the true measure of whether Kisumu has indeed risen to its healthcare call.
