KUTRRH’s kidney transplant services offer new hope for patients

The Kenya University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has officially launched its kidney transplant programme after successfully carrying out its first two kidney transplants on May 7 and 8, 2025.

This marks a significant step in improving kidney care in the country.

Both recipients and donors are reported to be recovering well after the surgeries.

The landmark achievement was celebrated during the official launch led by Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga.

He was joined by KUTRRH Acting CEO Zeinab Gura and Board Chair Kembi Gitura, who commended the team for their commitment to expanding healthcare services.

"This has been a milestone for KUTRRH and Kenya as a whole. For years, the hospital has worked tirelessly to establish a renal transplant centre, training staff, acquiring essential equipment, and forming key partnerships," Dr Oluga stated during the ceremony.

KUTRRH worked closely with kidney specialists from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), who will continue supporting the hospital in building its internal transplant capacity.

The hospital has already prepared a donor-recipient pair for the next surgery, and eight more pairs are currently being evaluated at the transplant clinic.

This new service, supported by the Social Health Authority (SHA), will make kidney transplants more affordable for patients, reducing financial barriers to accessing this vital treatment.

KUTRRH’s development into a renal care hub is timely, as kidney disease rates are increasing in Kenya.

Statistics from the Kenya Renal Association (KRA) show that one in ten Kenyans suffers from some form of kidney disease, and around 12,500 people in the country need kidney transplants.

However, the number of transplants performed remains low compared to the number of people needing them.

In 2021, only 160 kidney transplants were carried out, while more than 5,700 patients were on chronic hemodialysis.

The new kidney transplant programme at KUTRRH aims to address this gap, offering hope to patients who would otherwise face the high cost of dialysis or struggle to find suitable donors.