Kenyatta National Hospital Board, a state corporation, has launched a request for qualification (RFQ) from competent local and international firms or consortia to pre-qualify and bid to Design, Build, Finance, Equip, Operate, Maintain and Transfer (BDFOMT) the KNH Private Hospital PPP Project in Nairobi City County under a Public-Private Partnerships arrangement. The scope of the Project consists of a minimum 300 bed-capacity private hospital adjacent to the existing Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

KNH was established in 1901 and is currently the largest hospital in Kenya and the East African region with a capacity of over 2,000 beds. KNH initially operated as a department under the Ministry of Health (MoH) up to 1987 when the KNHB Order, 1987(KNHB Order) was enacted effectively conferring the KNHB the status of a state corporation.

The proposed project will operate as a stand-alone facility with a different operating platform to the Main Hospital. However, some of the non-core services (for example laundry) could be shared, if deemed appropriate to reduce operating costs, but only in such a way as to not compromise the quality and efficiency of services offered by the two hospitals. 

KNHB envisions the proposed facility to be a modern and technologically advanced Level 6 (Tertiary level) hospital that will provide specialist
healthcare services. It is envisaged that healthcare services would be offered through specialised centres of excellence to manage life-threatening chronic ‘lifestyle’ diseases and to decrease the morbidity rate thereof. The facility is also expected to also offer research and training opportunities for medical training and research units to medical colleges that KNH has reciprocity.

The deadline for the submission of qualification is on December 11, 2019.