The transition committee in charge of elevating the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) visited the health facility to ascertain its level and align its human resources with those of the government.

In a statement on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the JOOTRH indicated that the transition team assessed the preparedness of the facility to be transformed into a national referral hospital.

“The technical transition committee for Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) today visited the facility,” JOOTRH said in a statement.

Seamless transition

The committee focuses on a seamless transition. Key areas of deliberation include Human Resources instruments, encompassing the transition of staff, salaries and grading, pension management, and the overall staff establishment.

The transition committee is chaired by James Ntabo, while other members are Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, CEO of JOOTRH, Dr. Rebecca Kiptui, Dr. Ruth Bosire, Mr. Stephen Macharia, Francis Muteti, Edith Torome, Dr. Joshua Ojwang Lusi, – Kisumu County’s Chief Officer- Health, Martin Opiyo. – Kisumu County’s Chief Officer- Finance, Dr. Racheal Nyamwai, Alice Machanga, and Judy Chepkirui.

The other members of the committee include Joshua Clinton Okise, Senior Director of Finance and Administration, JOOTRH; Otieno Nashon Aluoka, County Attorney; Dr. Otieno Kennedy, Deputy Director of Medical, County Department of Health; and Beatrice Omollo.

Elevation process

In March 2024, the national government embarked on taking over the. A year later, in March 2005, the Cabinet approved the elevation of JOOTRH to a national referral Hospital.

This upgrade, which saw the facility transition from a county-managed institution to a state parastatal, was the culmination of extensive planning and collaborative efforts.

The facility, which for the past few years has been struggling financially, given the huge population it serves, will now be taken over by the national government to enhance service delivery.

As of 2024, JOOTRH was running on its own-source revenue, donor funds, and allocations from the County Government of Kisumu despite serving over 10 counties in the region and beyond.