Hospitals Report Surge in Emergency Cases

Hospitals across Kenya are experiencing a significant spike in emergency admissions, with major referral centers reporting overwhelming pressure on their Accident & Emergency (A&E) units. According to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the ongoing doctors’ strike in Kiambu and Nairobi counties has diverted a large number of critical and urgent cases to their facility.
At KNH, administrators say essential departments—including operating theatres, the blood bank, and diagnostic services—are under severe strain as staff struggle to keep up with the much higher-than-normal patient load. The hospital’s maternity and newborn wards are especially hard-hit, with reports that the labour ward is operating at more than double its usual capacity, raising concerns about patient safety and potential adverse outcomes.
In nearby Murang’a, Level 5 Hospital has also seen a dramatic increase in outpatient and inpatient numbers. Governor Irungu Kang’ata stated that the hospital is now handling between 1,500 and 2,000 outpatients daily, with about 500 admitted—figures that far exceed their normal capacity. To cope with the surge, the county is recalling healthcare workers, beefing up the casualty department, and opening additional wards.
Health officials view the surge as a serious threat to the quality of care. They warn that overcrowded emergency units and stretched resources could lead to delayed treatment, increased risk of infection, and burnout among staff. In response, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has mandated an emergency response audit at referral hospitals and introduced stricter admission protocols to control patient flow.