National funding access, expanded bed capacity, specialized healthcare services, reduced county financial burden, regional healthcare hub
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital Level 6 Upgrade
Elevation of JOOTRH from county-managed facility to Level 6 national referral hospital and state corporation, with expansion to 760-bed capacity.
AnnouncedMay 1, 2024
StartedJune 18, 2025
Expected CompletionDecember 31, 2028
Financials
Offering PriceKsh 5,000,000,000KES
Timeline
KHPOA Compliance Rating
Kenya Health Professional Oversight Authority scored JOOTRH at 85% compliance with Level 6 standards
Level 6A Status Granted
JOOTRH officially upgraded to Level 6A facility with parastatal status
Cabinet Approval
Cabinet approved elevation to national teaching and referral facility as state corporation
Gazette Notice
President Ruto issued gazette notice officially elevating JOOTRH to Level 6 national referral hospital
Pre-Feasibility Study
Ministry of Health team led by DG Patrick Amoth met with hospital management to discuss expansion pre-feasibility study
Politicians Involved
William Ruto
PresidentIssued gazette notice elevating JOOTRH to Level 6 national referral hospital in June 2025
Anyang' Nyong'o
GovernorKisumu County Governor who lobbied for the upgrade and commended the decision
Nakhumicha S. Wafula
Cabinet Secretary for HealthPledged to expedite the upgrade process and ordered hospital inspection
Benefits
Description
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), commonly known as 'Russia Hospital', has been elevated to a Level 6 national referral hospital following Cabinet approval in March 2025 and a gazette notice by President William Ruto in June 2025. The hospital, established on 55.6 acres along the Kakamega-Kisumu Highway, transitions from county management to a state parastatal under the Ministry of Health. The multi-phase expansion project aims to increase bed capacity to 760 and bring it to the same standard as Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. A pre-feasibility study was conducted in November 2025 to assess technical, financial, environmental, and social viability. Previously, Kisumu County Government spent KSh 1.2 billion annually running the facility, serving over 10 counties.
Overview
Transforms healthcare accessibility for the entire Lake Region and western Kenya. As the only previously county-managed hospital at this level in Kenya, its national status unlocks substantial national funding and specialized care capacity for millions of residents.