Friday, 25 April, 2025
House Committee inspects Defence Forces Memorial Hospital
Nairobi CountyThursday, 24th April 2025
The National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, led by Vice Chair Hon. Maj. (Rtd) Bashir Abdullahi, conducted an inspection visit to the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital (DFMH) in Nairobi.
DFMH, operated by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) provides specialized medical services to KDF personnel and their families. It also functions as a training hub through its affiliation with the Defence Forces College of Health Sciences, under the National Defence University-Kenya.
During the inspection, Members were taken through key service areas including the Malaika Paediatric/Newborn Unit, Radiology Complex, and the Male Surgical Ward.
Committee Members sought clarity on the hospital’s capital projects and infrastructure development. Commandant, Brig. J.M. Khaoya, Chief Medical Officer, Brig Dr. C. M. Kingori acknowledged that while several strategic projects had been initiated, progress has been impeded by budgetary constraints and delays in procurement.
“The hospital’s wards were built in the 1970s. They need to be updated to meet modern standards for clinical support,” Commandant, Brig. Khaoya noted. “Several wards have been repurposed into classrooms and quarters due to space limitations, leaving critical gaps in patient care infrastructure," added Chief Medical Officer, Brig. Dr. Kingori
Despite these hurdles, the hospital has recorded notable milestones. In 2024 alone, DFMH handled 3,398 inpatient cases, a testament to its operational capacity. The integration of specialist civilian doctors has helped bridge gaps in consultation services. “Our training programs have expanded, and our diagnostic capabilities continue to improve, especially in pediatric and radiological services,” said Dr. Kingori.
Key among the concerns raised were limited clinic spaces, the absence of a dedicated maternity theatre, and the urgent need for a chemotherapy dispensing ward. MPs also heard that the reduced budget disbursements have slowed procurement and impacted service delivery.
“We’re operating with an increasingly limited budget,” Brig. Khaoya admitted. “This affects the acquisition of essential medical equipment.”
The Committee pledged to push for policy and budgetary interventions to strengthen military healthcare services at the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital.