MPs warn of declining military hospital services amid budget delays

The National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee has called for urgent action to improve services at the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital (DFMH) following an inspection visit in Nairobi.

Led by Vice Chair Maj. (Rtd) Bashir Abdullahi, the legislators toured several parts of the hospital, including the Malaika Paediatric/Newborn Unit, the Male Surgical Ward, and the Radiology Complex.

The hospital serves Kenya Defence Forces personnel and their families, and also hosts a medical training program under the National Defence University-Kenya.

During the visit, MPs were briefed on long-standing challenges facing the hospital.

Commandant Brig. J.M. Khaoya told the committee that while several projects had been started, progress had been held back by slow procurement and tight budgets.

"The hospital’s wards were built in the 1970s. They need to be updated to meet modern standards for clinical support," Brig. Khaoya said.

"Several wards have been repurposed into classrooms and quarters due to space limitations, leaving critical gaps in patient care infrastructure," Chief Medical Officer Brig. Dr. C.M. Kingori added.

The committee raised concerns over the lack of a maternity theatre and chemotherapy ward, as well as inadequate clinic space.

MPs were also informed that fewer budget disbursements had affected procurement of equipment and overall service delivery.

"We’re operating with an increasingly limited budget," Brig. Khaoya admitted.

Despite the constraints, the hospital managed 3,398 inpatient cases in 2024 and continues to expand its training programs.

"Our training programs have expanded, and our diagnostic capabilities continue to improve, especially in pediatric and radiological services," Dr. Kingori said.

The committee assured hospital leadership of their support in pushing for better funding and stronger policies for military healthcare.