NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Police Service Referral Hospital (NPSRH), a 200-bed facility built at a cost of Sh1.2 billion, has officially opened its doors after nearly three years of dormancy.
The hospital, inaugurated on Monday, September 1, is designed to provide specialized healthcare to police officers and their families — a milestone in government reforms to improve welfare in the security sector.
First Fully Paperless Public Hospital
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) acting CEO Richard Lesiyampe, who presided over the opening, became the first patient to be registered under the hospital’s fully paperless system.
This makes NPSRH one of the first public hospitals in Kenya to fully automate patient records and service delivery.
Officials say the system will improve efficiency, cut waiting times, and enhance accountability in healthcare management.
A team of 130 staff members has been deployed to run the hospital, led by KNH acting director Raheli Mukhwana and Ronald Opili from the National Police Service.
“Let us embrace teamwork and keep compassion at the center of care,” Lesiyampe said, expressing confidence that the hospital would become a benchmark for efficiency in the wider public health system.
Long Delays and Public Criticism
Although construction was completed in 2022, the hospital remained unused for almost three years due to unpaid contractor bills amounting to Sh833 million, administrative wrangles, and delayed government action.
The idle facility drew sharp criticism from auditors and the public, who questioned why fully equipped wards stood empty while police officers continued to crowd other hospitals.
On August 5, 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja intervened to fast-track the hospital’s operationalisation.
The National Equipment Services Programme (NESP) was brought on board to streamline financing and management, clearing the way for the September launch.
A Vision for Police Healthcare
The idea of a dedicated referral hospital for police officers was first floated in November 2021 by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as part of security sector reforms.
In 2023, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officially handed over the completed and fully equipped facility to the police, marking an inter-agency effort to strengthen national health systems.
Now operational, the Level IV hospital is expected to serve more than 100,000 officers and their dependents, offering trauma care, counselling, emergency response, and psychosocial support tailored to the unique challenges of law enforcement.
