KU Hospital performs first kidney transplants, boosting Kenya’s specialised care
The process involved training medical staff at Apollo Hospital in India, acquiring advanced equipment, and forming partnerships to support transplant services.
The Kenya University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has successfully conducted its first two kidney transplant surgeries, marking a major step forward in the country’s efforts to expand access to specialised healthcare services.
The two surgeries were carried out on May 7 and 8, 2025. Both kidney recipients and their donors are recovering well after the procedures.
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Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga, who officially launched the kidney transplant services at KUTRRH on Friday, commended the hospital’s team for achieving this milestone. He was joined during the event by the hospital’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Zeinab Gura, and Chairperson of the Board of Directors Kembi Gitura.
"Over the past three years, KUTRRH has been working to establish a renal transplant centre," the hospital said in a statement.
This process involved training medical staff at Apollo Hospital in India, acquiring advanced equipment, and forming partnerships to support transplant services.
The transplant surgeries were conducted in collaboration with a team of kidney specialists from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), who will continue offering mentorship to KUTRRH staff as the hospital works to strengthen its internal capacity.
Another donor-recipient pair has already been prepared for the next transplant surgery, while eight more pairs are currently undergoing medical evaluation at the transplant clinic.
SHA finanncing
The surgeries were made possible through support from the Social Health Authority (SHA), which helped reduce the financial strain on patients. This aligns with the national goal of expanding access to critical care services under the Universal Health Coverage programme.
The hospital said the development marks the beginning of its journey towards becoming a strong centre for kidney care in the country.
Kidney disease remains a serious public health concern in Kenya, with around four million people, roughly one in every 10 Kenyans, affected by some form of kidney illness, according to the Kenya Renal Association.
Among these, about 12,500 patients suffer from end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and need kidney transplants. However, as of October 2022, only about 6,300 patients were receiving chronic haemodialysis treatment.
In 2021, only 160 kidney transplants were performed in the country, despite there being about 5,700 patients on dialysis. This represents a transplant conversion rate of 2.8 per cent, far below the global average rate of around 10 per cent.
By performing kidney transplants and expanding renal services, KUTRRH is expected to help bridge this gap, offering new hope to many patients who would otherwise rely on lifelong dialysis treatment.
During the launch, KUTRRH officials reaffirmed their commitment to improving access to high-quality kidney care. They also expressed gratitude to the teams from MTRH and Apollo Hospital for their partnership in making the transplant programme possible.
The hospital will continue evaluating more patients as it gradually expands its capacity for kidney transplants while improving outcomes for those battling kidney disease.
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