NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has rejected claims that it is grappling with critical shortages of medical supplies and compromised patient care, insisting that essential services remain fully operational despite growing patient inflows and systemic pressures facing the public healthcare sector.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the national referral and teaching hospital responded to an article published by The Standard titled “A Sick Hospital,” terming it inaccurate and misleading.
KNH said the report failed to reflect the hospital’s operational realities and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening service delivery and accountability.
“The National Treasury continues to remit funds to KNH in accordance with approved government financing frameworks,” the hospital said, adding that the integration of the eCitizen platform had boosted internal revenue while reducing financial leakages.
KNH further confirmed that reimbursements from the Social Health Authority (SHA) are received monthly after the submission and verification of claims.
The hospital noted that since the rollout of SHA, millions of Kenyans have accessed treatment at KNH, particularly patients with serious and chronic conditions that previously imposed heavy financial burdens on families.
These include cancer, renal failure requiring dialysis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes-related complications, sickle cell disease, and advanced HIV-related illnesses.
KNH outlined what it described as significant clinical milestones, reporting that it performs more than 2,000 complex surgical procedures each month. These include transplant surgeries, cardiac and neurosurgical operations, orthopaedic and oncology-related procedures, cochlear implant surgeries, advanced facial reconstructive surgeries, and breast reduction procedures.
The hospital also manages a high volume of critical care admissions in specialised units and maintains 24-hour emergency and trauma services.
“As a national referral facility, KNH periodically experiences high patient inflows due to referrals from across the country,” the statement said. “While this may occasionally lead to service delays, no emergency patient is ever turned away, and all life-threatening cases are prioritised and attended to without exception.”
Addressing claims of shortages in reagents and consumables, KNH said it currently maintains sufficient stocks to support ongoing diagnostic and clinical services. It acknowledged that stock levels may fluctuate due to the complexity and volume of cases handled, but stressed that critical services remain fully operational.
The hospital also defended recent administrative and governance reforms, saying the measures were intended to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and strengthen accountability. “While such reforms may not be universally welcomed, they are essential for improving efficiency, safeguarding public resources and enhancing service delivery to patients,” KNH said.
On regulatory oversight, the hospital noted that practitioners found to be non-compliant with professional and ethical standards are routinely referred to relevant disciplinary bodies for action, reinforcing its commitment to patient safety and quality care.
The statement was signed by Dr Richard Lesiyampe, CBS, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of KNH, who reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to providing specialised, quality, and accessible healthcare to all Kenyans.
He said the hospital continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health, SHA, and other stakeholders to address operational challenges and improve patient outcomes.
The rebuttal comes amid sustained public debate over the state of Kenya’s public hospitals, funding constraints, and the transition to the new health financing framework.
As scrutiny intensifies, KNH’s response underscores the broader tensions between rising demand for specialised care, limited resources, and the government’s push for accountability and health sector reforms.
