Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has announced a major boost to renal healthcare after securing additional dialysis machines for Kerugoya County Referral Hospital, a move that significantly expands access to affordable treatment for kidney patients. The installation of four new state-of-the-art machines this week brings the number of operational units at the hospital to six, with another six expected in the coming weeks under the National Equipment Support Programme (NESP). The upgrade marks a turning point for patients who have long relied on limited slots at the facility and often endured costly referrals to private hospitals or distant counties.
The expansion comes as part of the national shift from the former Managed Equipment Services (MES) programme to the new NESP model, aimed at improving reliability and efficiency of medical equipment across the country. According to County Executive Member for Health George Karoki, the new machines feature fully digital systems, automated alerts, and integrated monitoring tools such as blood pressure and blood gas analyzers—dramatically improving patient safety and reducing staff workload. Before the upgrade, the renal unit operated only two machines, managing about 20 dialysis sessions per week. With the additional equipment, the hospital can now support between 30 and 40 patients, offering close to 300 sessions monthly. The county also expects to receive more machines for sub-county hospitals, signalling a broader strategy to decentralize renal care.
Health workers and patients alike have welcomed the development, calling it a life-changing intervention. Senior renal nurse Racheal Nyaga said the clinical team has already completed training on the advanced technology and is now able to manage a growing number of cases, including patients referred from neighbouring counties. For long-time patient Wambua Kioko, 85, the new machines have brought renewed relief after years of alternating between Kerugoya and costly private facilities. Governor Waiguru affirmed that investment in healthcare remains central to her administration’s development agenda, noting that improved renal services will ease financial pressure on families, reduce long waiting hours, and allow patients to receive life-sustaining treatment closer to home.