From Sh101,950 to Sh112 million: The numbers behind Nyandarua’s health tourism boom

After years of protracted and unproductive disputes with the national government over revenue from tourist attractions, the Nyandarua County government has pivoted its strategy toward an unexpected sector: health tourism. This shift is now yielding measurable results.

Through strategic partnerships and the introduction of specialised medical services, the county is rapidly transforming from a healthcare desert into a destination for patients seeking quality, affordable care.

This marks a dramatic change: before devolution, healthcare was managed remotely from Nyeri or Nairobi, leading to chronic under-investment. The situation was worsened by the historical placement of the Nyandarua District Headquarters in Nyahururu town, which made Nyahururu District Hospital the primary facility for residents, further depriving the county of direct health resources.

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Official figures show health is now Nyandarua's leading revenue source, far surpassing tourism.

The County Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2025/2026 reveals that from July to December 2024, health generated Sh111,987,361, while tourism collected only Sh101,950.

This economic shift is visible on the ground. Medics and local traders note a steady increase in patients travelling from neighbouring counties for medical care. To serve this growing population, modern commercial buildings are rising around the hospitals, transforming the areas into busy hubs. Hotels and businesses are springing up around medical facilities to cater to the surge.

Simon Gacheru, a hotel owner in Ol Kalou town near JM Memorial Hospital, reports that his lodgings are consistently fully booked. "Most of our customers are patients or their relatives seeking medical services at the hospital," he explains. "Others are relatives of admitted patients who cannot travel back home."

The economic ripple effect is visible on the surrounding roads, which are now fully occupied by hawkers, creating significant human and vehicular traffic. The influx is driven largely by patients from Nakuru, Laikipia, Baringo, and Nyeri counties who travel to Nyandarua for specialised treatments.

Dr Boniface Gachara, the county director of Medical Services, confirms the trend, noting an increase in formal referrals.

Patients like Naisila Naye from Baringo County exemplify the draw. Her son was referred to JM Memorial Hospital for a CT scan after facing prohibitive costs at a private facility. She noted that at the public hospital, SHA is paying for all the costs.

"At the private hospital, we had to pay Sh12,000 in cash on top of what SHA card covered. They explained SHA would only pay Sh24,000, bringing the total bill to Sh36,000. In contrast, at the public hospital, SHA is covering all the costs. We have spent about Sh8,000 so far, and it has all been paid by SHA."

Faith Murui from Laikipia had a similar experience, paying Sh12,800 at JM for a head scan that would have cost Sh42,000 privately in Nakuru. “I arrived a day before my scans and stayed at a lodging for Sh1,500,” said Faith. “The process at JM Memorial Hospital has been efficient—I’ve already had the CT scan, and the results came quickly, unlike the long waits common at private hospitals. It also eased the financial burden. At private facilities, there are always extra charges for reading the scan and writing a report for the surgeon, which can cost an additional Sh5,000 or more.

The county has significantly expanded its clinical capabilities by introducing specialised services across various facilities. JM Memorial Hospital now offers an ICU, dialysis unit, and oncology services alongside its modern CT scan. Other facilities, like Engineer Nyayo Hospital and Ndaragua Health Centre, boast state-of-the-art newborn and maternity units.

“Improved staff-to-patient ratios and better equipment have increased motivation and service delivery. Our health indicators are now among the best nationally,” said Dr Gachara.

Health Executive Juliana Syoweu reported significant improvements in maternal and child health, with the institutional maternal mortality ratio dropping to 90 per 100,000 births; now the lowest in the country.

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“We have increased skilled birth attendance to 98 per cent. Paediatric outcomes have also improved: infant mortality has fallen to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births, and immunisation coverage has reached 90 per cent. These achievements are key factors attracting patients to seek care in our county.”

She added that to sustain this progress, the Health Department has established a dedicated policy and research unit to guide evidence-based decisions. “Since 2024, this department has hosted an annual scientific symposium that brings together researchers, academics, and professionals. The platform is critical for knowledge exchange, facilitating investment, and aligning our long-term vision.”

The contrast with the pre-devolution era is stark. Nyandarua once had the poorest health indicators in Central Province, driven by inadequate staffing, poor equipment, and limited access to care.
 
"The health indicators from that era reveal the severity of the crisis," said the Health boss. "The county accounted for 15 per cent of all maternal deaths in the Central Province. The under-five mortality rate was 51 deaths per 1,000 live births, only half of all women delivered in a health facility, and malnutrition and stunting among children under five stood at 35 per cent."

At that time, HIV prevalence in the county stood at three per cent.

“However, over the last three years, Nyandarua has embarked on an ambitious health sector transformation. It is rooted in the philosophy that a healthy population is fundamental to a productive county. This strategic focus has significantly expanded our healthcare landscape. While attracting more patients from neighbouring counties strains our facilities, it is ultimately positive, creating valuable ripple effects for the local economy.”

Further growth is planned, including a 72-bed maternity wing funded by the M-Pesa Foundation. Governor Kiarie Badilisha has also requested the upgrade of JM Memorial Hospital to a Level Five facility.

“We will then have a Level Six Hospital once the Mashujaa Hospital Complex is completed. We have not given up on demanding our share from sites like the Aberdare Forest,” the Governor stated, “but we appreciate that health tourism is vital. Our next focus will be agricultural tourism.”

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