Explainer: How new paperless system will work at Kenyatta National Hospital
By Cynthia Lodite, March 17, 2026Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has marked a historic milestone with the official launch of the Afya Apex Taifa Care System, a comprehensive Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) that signals the beginning of its transition to a fully paperless institution.
The institution announced the new era on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, ushering in the beginning of digital healthcare delivery at the region’s largest referral hospital.
The Afya Apex system is expected to transform operations across key clinical areas, including radiology, laboratory services, triage, Accident & Emergency (A&E), pharmacy, and patient registration, among other modules, enhancing efficiency, reducing administrative delays, and improving patient outcomes.
While presiding over the launch, the Digital Health Authority (DHA) CEO, Anthony Lenayara, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the initiative.
The transition
The transition to automation with the launch of the Afya Apex HMIS/ERP system under Taifa Care is set to go live on March 20, 2026.
According to Lenayara, through the paperless initiative, KNH will receive free internet connectivity for the next 10 years to support seamless system operations.
Additionally, all devices issued to the hospital will be securely tagged and equipped with power banks to ensure uninterrupted functionality within the dynamic hospital environment.
“When we fully roll out this system, we expect KNH to be paperless,” he stated, adding that the system will eventually be scaled to Level 5 and Level 6 hospitals across the country.
New digital devices transition
The Afya Apex system is designed to streamline clinical workflows, enhance the accuracy and accessibility of patient data, and enable real-time decision-making.
According to the institution, once fully operational, it will support efficient resource allocation and significantly improve the overall patient experience.
While the transition to a paperless hospital will require time, collaboration, and continuous learning, KNH has affirmed that it remains committed to delivering a resilient, efficient, and patient-centred healthcare system.
On the other hand, the KNH Chief Executive Officer, of Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, has confirmed the receipt of 1,286 digital devices to support the transition.
He noted that the Afya Apex system was developed by the DHA in collaboration with key partners, highlighting the strength of public-private partnerships in advancing Kenya’s healthcare agenda.
The next phase of implementation will focus on comprehensive staff training to ensure seamless adoption across all departments.
Heads of departments have been tasked with preparing their teams for the transition, emphasising that the success of the system will depend not only on the technology but also on the people using it.