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Moi Referral Hospital raises alarm over increasing cases of kidney ailments

CEO Kirwa says the hospital currently handles 106 kidney patients and carries out 1,300 dialysis sessions monthly.

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by BY MATHEWS NDANYI

News13 March 2025 - 12:00
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In Summary


  • Dr Kirwa said the main cause of kidney ailments was related to lifestyles including food and other behaviour. 
  • Kirwa said that by 2040, it is estimated that the burden of kidney ailments will have doubled.
The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Dr Philip Kirwa during the marking of World Kidney Day.[ PHOTO: MATHEWS NDANYI]

The Moi Teaching and Referral hospital is handling an increasing number of kidney patients with four transplants done every month at the hospital, according to the CEO of the hospital Dr Phillip Kirwa.

Kirwa says the hospital currently handles 106 kidney patients and carries out 1,300 dialysis sessions monthly. 

He says the number of kidney patients is on the rise in the country, with 5 percent of the population likely having kidney-related issues. 

 “Thats why we are sensitizing Kenyans to go medical check-ups to know the state of their kidneys so that if there are issues it becomes easy to detect early and handle,” said Dr Kirwa. 

He was speaking when he flagged off a public sensitization procession at the hospital as part of events to mark World Kidney Day.  

Dr Kirwa, however, said less than 1 million people had been screened and some confirmed to have renal ailments. 

Dr Kirwa said the main cause of kidney ailments was related to lifestyles including food and other behaviour. 

Kirwa said that by 2040, it is estimated that the burden of kidney ailments will have doubled.

“We now have many more people who are hypertensive, diabetic or have congenital issues which are all related to kidney ailments,” said Kirwa.

He said the hospital has an active renal dialysis programme running day and night to ensure all patients are served.

Kirwa said there were long queues of patients waiting for transplants at the hospital, which is working to increase its capacity.

The CEO, however, noted that the hospital was well equipped with facilities to effectively handle kidney ailments.

“At MTRH, we are lucky to have well-trained manpower who handle all renal ailments and thats why we are able to carry out one kidney transplant weekly,” said Kirwa.

Kirwa said the legal framework governing the transplant of organs would be improved through a bill coming up in parliament to seal existing loopholes, including trafficking of such organs.

Titus Tirigin, who underwent a kidney transplant 25 years ago, said he was doing well and noted that SHA was covering most costs for patients with kidney ailments

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