By Daniel Omwoyo
Kenya’s First Lady Rachel Ruto on Wednesday launched a landmark health initiative at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where Kenyan and Moroccan doctors teamed up to perform free cochlear implant surgeries for children with hearing impairments.
The First Lady hailed the project as a major stride toward inclusive and high-quality healthcare, saying it would transform lives by restoring the gift of hearing.
“Today, that silence begins to fade, replaced with the possibility of sound, belonging, and connection,” said Mrs. Ruto.
She thanked the Princess Lalla Asmaa Foundation of Morocco for donating cochlear devices worth nearly $1 million, and commended President William Ruto’s administration for expanding access to specialized medical services under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.
According to the Ministry of Health, the initiative involves the implantation of 70 cochlear devices, with surgeries being conducted at KNH and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). The procedures began this week as part of a special medical camp aimed at helping children who have lived in silence to hear and communicate for the first time.
KNH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe described the collaboration as “historic,” noting that doctors from Kenya and Morocco worked jointly to complete the procedures. By the end of the week, 54 children are expected to have received implants at KNH and 10 at MTRH.
Previously, only one cochlear implant surgery had been performed in Kenya’s public health system due to the high cost and limited expertise. The program now seeks to make the life-changing procedure accessible to families who could not otherwise afford it.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale lauded the initiative as a step toward reducing inequality in access to advanced healthcare.
“It is a bold step in bridging the inequality gap,” said Mr. Duale. “These surgeries are now covered under the Social Health Authority benefit package to protect families from catastrophic medical costs.”
Princess Lalla Asmaa of Morocco, who attended the ceremony, said the partnership illustrated the power of African solidarity in supporting vulnerable children. She noted that her foundation has helped more than 850 children in Morocco regain their hearing and is now extending support to other African nations.
“When hearts unite, miracles happen,” she said.
Health experts at the launch underscored the importance of early diagnosis and post-surgery rehabilitation to ensure that children fully benefit from the implants. Hospitals pledged to strengthen screening, speech therapy, and follow-up services, with each child to be monitored for three years.
The initiative, leaders said, embodies what compassion and partnership can achieve in healthcare. Both Kenya and Morocco pledged to continue collaborating so that more children can hear, speak, and thrive.
“No child should be left behind,” the First Lady concluded. “Today, we give these children the gift of sound — and the opportunity to dream again.”
