The government has commissioned a 150-bed Level IV hospital at the Kenya Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu County, expanding access to medical care for correctional officers, inmates, and surrounding communities.
The Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Hospital was commissioned on Monday by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki alongside Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga.
The facility started operations in March with outpatient services before expanding to inpatient and specialised care.
The Ministry of Health said the hospital provides outpatient and inpatient treatment, maternal and child health services, emergency care, diagnostics, laboratory and pharmacy services, renal care and specialised clinics.
It is also equipped with an Intensive Care Unit, High Dependency Unit, radiology and dental units, maternity facilities, male and female wards and a paediatric ward.
“The Government has commissioned the 150-bed Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Hospital at the Kenya Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, expanding access to quality healthcare for correctional services officers, inmates and surrounding communities,” the ministry said.
The commissioning fulfils a presidential directive issued during the Kenya Prisons Service recruits’ pass-out parade in February.
The government said the hospital would strengthen the correctional system's capacity to provide timely treatment while reducing the need to refer patients to external facilities.
“The expanded capacity will reduce reliance on external referrals, support timely diagnosis and treatment and improve patient outcomes,” the ministry said.
The investment comes against longstanding challenges in healthcare provision within Kenya's correctional system. A 2024 Kenya National Commission on Human Rights audit found that 47% of 44 prisons and detention facilities inspected lacked functional healthcare units, while 35% were operating beyond capacity. More than 60% also reported inadequate access to clean water and sanitation.
A separate KNCHR prison inspection report found that Kenya's prison population stood at 61,348 in October 2024, against an estimated holding capacity of about 28,000.
The population was therefore more than twice the designed capacity, placing additional pressure on healthcare, sanitation and other services.
The Kenya Prisons Service currently operates 140 penal institutions, including 134 facilities for adult offenders and three facilities for youthful offenders.
The new hospital is therefore expected to strengthen medical services within a correctional system serving a large and often vulnerable population.
The 150-bed Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Hospital in Ruiru, Kiambu County. PHOTO/MoH
The facility has also been integrated into the Social Health Authority's Usalama Cover Public Officers Medical Scheme.
Correctional officers and their dependants will be able to access outpatient, inpatient, maternity, specialised and emergency evacuation services through the scheme.
“The facility has been integrated into the Social Health Authority’s Usalama Cover Public Officers Medical Scheme, allowing officers and their dependants to access outpatient, inpatient, maternity, specialised and emergency evacuation services.”
The Kenya Prisons Service has been increasing efforts to integrate inmates into the national health insurance system.
In January, Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh directed that inmate and SHA registration should continue across prison stations to ensure inmates benefit from the national medical scheme.
The hospital's specialised services, including renal care, radiology, intensive care and high-dependency services, are expected to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.
The government said the facility also advances its Universal Health Coverage agenda under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by extending affordable healthcare to disciplined services and neighbouring communities.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Principal Secretaries Raymond Omolo, Salome Beaco and Aurelia Rono, Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh and senior health and prisons officials also attended the commissioning.
The facility marks a significant expansion of healthcare infrastructure within Kenya's correctional services and is expected to improve access to comprehensive medical care for officers, inmates and the wider Ruiru community.