In a major milestone for healthcare in Western Kenya, Kisumu Governor Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has officially reopened the Victoria Annex, a fully renovated and dedicated sickle cell disease management centre under the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
Speaking during the grand reopening in Market Milimani Ward on Wednesday, Governor Nyong’o hailed the facility as “a powerful new frontline in the battle against sickle cell disease,” declaring it a bold step forward in Kisumu’s mission to deliver equitable and quality healthcare.
“Victoria Annex is not just a hospital. It is a statement of purpose and a sign of renewal in Kisumu County’s commitment to accessible, life saving care,” he said. “This reopening is not ceremonial, it is transformational.”
The Governor highlighted the facility’s historical role during the COVID 19 pandemic and underscored its new focus on a growing but often overlooked crisis: sickle cell disease.
“In Kisumu, two in every 100 children are born with sickle cell disease, and more than 20 percent carry the trait. Many don’t live to see their fifth birthday,” Nyong’o noted. “But this disease is manageable, and this facility will help us prove that.”
He pointed to key global partnerships with the American Society of Hematology, PerkinElmer, and Novartis that are already improving diagnostics and patient care in the region. The Victoria Annex, he said, represents the tangible outcome of those collaborations.
In a show of support for healthcare workers, the Governor announced that the centre will initially prioritize services for Kisumu’s frontline medical personnel, including nurses, doctors, lab technicians, and support staff.
“This is our way of saying: we see you, we value you, and we’re investing in your well being,” he said.
The reopening comes on the heels of JOOTRH’s elevation to a Level 6 National Referral Hospital, joining the ranks of Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Nyong’o confirmed that JOOTRH is in the final stages of becoming a state corporation under the Ministry of Health, a move that will unlock national resources and elevate the institution as a hub for specialized care and academic medicine.
“We are not stopping here,” he emphasized. “We are laying the groundwork for JOOTRH to expand into cardiology, heart surgery, kidney and bone marrow transplants, neurosurgery, and cutting edge research.”
To support this transition, the Governor announced a Cabinet directive tasking Kisumu’s Department of Health with upgrading the Kisumu County Referral Hospital to handle general healthcare, allowing JOOTRH to fully dedicate itself to specialized services. The strategic shift, he said, is modeled on leading institutions like KNH, MTRH, KUTRRH, and Coast General Hospital, but tailored for Kisumu’s needs.
Market Milimani MCA and County Assembly Chief Whip Seth Ochieng Kanga Adui Nyang used the occasion to urge Governor Nyong’o to retain JOOTRH CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, who he credited with steering the hospital’s transformation.
“Since Dr. Lesiyampe took over, complaints have significantly dropped. We believe he should stay on to enjoy the fruits of his hard work,” Kanga said. “We don’t need change now that JOOTRH has reached this level. Let’s build on what works.”
His remarks were echoed by Kisumu County Assembly Speaker Jack Oraro, who noted he now seeks treatment at JOOTRH rather than private hospitals, a testament to the facility’s rising standards.
The revamped Victoria Annex is now positioned to become a model for integrated sickle cell care in Kenya, cementing Kisumu’s place at the forefront of health innovation in the region.
