Mama Rachel Ruto Maternity Hospital Shuts Down Over Management Interference Allegations
The suspension comes just over one year since the hospital was officially launched by First Lady Rachel Ruto.The facility had served the community for 1 year and 18 days before its closure.
Services at Mama Rachel Ruto Maternity Hospital in Uasin Gishu County have been suspended indefinitely following allegations of “gross interference” in hospital management. A notice issued by the facility’s Board of Management confirmed that all operations—including outpatient, inpatient, and maternity services—were halted effective midnight on June 29, 2025.
The suspension comes just over one year since the hospital was officially launched by First Lady Rachel Ruto, having been inaugurated on June 11, 2024. The facility had served the community for 1 year and 18 days before its closure.
“The interference by the County Secretary has compromised the autonomy of our management team and endangered both staff operations and patient care,” said Board Chair Kevin Mulweye. “We had no choice but to suspend services until clarity and proper protocols are restored.”
While the notice refers to interference, the Board has not provided details on the specific nature of the allegations, and the Uasin Gishu County Government is yet to issue an official response.
The hospital management has, however, announced that it will issue an official statement on Monday at 9:00 a.m., where further clarification is expected.
A Brief But Impactful Legacy
Mama Rachel Ruto Maternity Hospital was launched as a regional maternal and neonatal referral facility, built on the foundation of the former West Maternity Hospital. With a mission to improve maternal health outcomes across the North Rift region, the facility was a flagship project aimed at supporting the government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
The hospital featured:
- A 70-bed capacity, including 40 maternity-specific beds
- A modern operating theatre, diagnostic laboratory, ICT centre, and pharmacy
- 20 standard incubators and 2 advanced tunnel incubators, a first in Western Kenya
In its early months, the facility reported over 1,000 normal deliveries and more than 50 Cesarean sections. Remarkably, 25 births were recorded within hours of its launch, underscoring the high demand for its services.
Supported by Innovation and Partnerships
The hospital was developed in partnership with USAID–AMPATH, the governments of Finland and France, and other private contributors. These partnerships brought in equipment and supplies valued at nearly KShs 1 billion.
It was also one of the first public facilities in the region to utilize diagnostic drones to transport samples from over 117 clinics, reducing lab result turnaround times to as little as 7 minutes. The facility’s adoption of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) model enabled expectant mothers to access services with reduced or no out-of-pocket expenses.
Public in Limbo as Services Halt
With the suspension of services, hundreds of women and families in Uasin Gishu and neighboring counties now face uncertainty. The hospital had quickly become a critical part of the region’s healthcare system, offering specialized care in a setting where access had previously been limited.
As of now, the county government remains silent, and no timeline has been provided for the resumption of services.
An official statement from the hospital management is expected Monday at 9:00 a.m., where more details may be shared with the public and stakeholders.
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