Senator Ojienda calls for urgent action to revive Pap Onditi Hospital amid alarming neglect
Thursday, 15 May, 2025
Parliament BuildingsWednesday, 14th May 2025
Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda has called on the Senate Committee on Health to address the deteriorating state of Pap Onditi Hospital, a facility that once served as a lifeline for thousands of residents in Lower Nyakach and surrounding areas but now faces severe neglect and infrastructural collapse.
"Pap Onditi Hospital, once a vital lifeline for thousands of residents in Lower Nyakach and neighbouring areas, today suffers from acute shortages of medical personnel, essential drugs, basic diagnostic equipment, and critical infrastructure," Sen. Ojienda stated. "Patients seeking care are frequently turned away or redirected to distant facilities, which puts lives at risk and exacerbates existing health disparities within the community."
The senator, while requesting a statement concerning this dire situation, urged the Sen. Jackson Mandago-led committee to investigate the hospital’s staffing levels, availability of medical supplies, and overall operational capacity. He also pressed for clarity on efforts being undertaken by both the Ministry of Health and the Kisumu County Government to rehabilitate the facility and restore its ability to provide essential healthcare services.
"Immediate action is needed to stabilize services at Pap Onditi Hospital," Sen. Ojienda emphasized. "The Health Committee must outline both short-term emergency measures and long-term strategies, including clear budgetary allocations, to upgrade this institution and ensure it meets the healthcare needs of its residents effectively. Timelines for implementation are equally critical and we cannot afford further delays while lives hang in the balance."
In addition to addressing the hospital crisis, Sen. Ojienda highlighted other pressing national concerns, calling for statements on persistent power outages across the country, data security risks on the e-Citizen platform, and updates on renewable energy initiatives in Kisumu County.