Some of Kenya’s leading pediatric surgeons have converged in Kisumu for the three-day Kenya Association of Paediatric Surgeons (KAPS) 2025 Annual Children’s Surgical Camp, offering free life-changing operations at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) and Aga Khan Hospital.
Speaking at JOOTRH on Monday, Acting CEO Joshua Okise hailed the initiative as a breakthrough for families in the region who cannot afford specialized treatment. He said more than 100 children and young people, aged between 0 and 22 years, have already been screened and admitted for surgery.
“Today, we are very happy to host surgeons from the Kenya Association of Paediatric Surgeons. They are here for three days to address various medical conditions. Earlier this month, we had a neurosurgical camp, and this is the second specialized camp we are hosting in September,” Okise said.
Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu CEO, Jane Wanyama, praised KAPS for dedicating, their expertise to underserved communities, noting that no patient will be charged.
“This week is exciting for us because KAPS has put aside their daily schedules to serve children regardless of their ability to pay. Aga Khan is proud to support this initiative through our welfare budget,” she said.
According to Prof. Francis Osawa, KAPS chairman and consultant pediatric surgeon, at least 13 children will undergo transformative operations including umbilicoplasty, herniotomy, and urethroplasty. Beneficiaries are drawn from Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Busia counties.
“Our association visits different parts of Kenya every September for CSR, offering free services to the most vulnerable. About 150 children have been recruited for this camp, with the majority at JOOTRH and others at Aga Khan. So far, two surgeries have already been completed,” Prof. Osawa said.
He added that last year, a similar camp in Garissa County benefited 112 children. However, he criticized Kisumu’s political leaders for failing to support the initiative.
The surgeries and medical costs are being fully covered by KAPS, Aga Khan Hospital, and the Social Health Authority (SHA).
