Kendu Adventist Hospital Celebrates 100 Years of Healing and Hope

A free medical camp crowned one week of celebrations with special guests.

July 22, 2025 | Kenya | Maureen Were, West Kenya Union Conference, and Adventist Review

Kendu Adventist Hospital (KAH) recently celebrated a remarkable milestone: 100 years of mission-driven health care in western Kenya, regional church leaders said. The centennial celebration, held on June 22, brought together thousands of attendees, including church leaders, government officials, international medical teams, and local community members. Their goal was to honor a health-care facility that has stood as a beacon of healing and hope since 1925.

Founded as a small mission station, KAH has grown into a vital regional health-care facility serving tens of thousands of patients annually, institutional leaders reported. “Over the decades the hospital has weathered political transitions, economic challenges, and changing health needs while remaining committed to compassionate care grounded in Christian values. The centennial reflected on this rich legacy while looking forward to future service and growth,” they said.

Among the distinguished guests was Raymond Omollo, principal secretary for State Department for Internal Security National Administration in Kenya, who served as the main guest. Omollo urged residents to make full use of the comprehensive services KAH offers and emphasized collaboration between the hospital, community health promoters, and the government to ensure no one is left behind. “Kendu Adventist Hospital has stood the test of time, serving this region with dedication for a hundred years,” he noted.

Omollo was joined by other principal secretaries, members of Parliament, and local leaders who praised the hospital’s impact and called for stronger partnerships between faith-based institutions and government health initiatives.

Church leaders reported that a key highlight of the centennial week was a free medical camp held June 23-27 in collaboration with Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) in the United States. Led by Richard Hart, LLUH president, and supported by volunteer doctors, dentists, and medical students, the camp provided critical care to more than 3,000 patients, leaders announced. “Services included 109 surgeries, 1,200 specialized eye treatments, and 250 dental procedures,” they reported.

Patients began lining up as early as 3 a.m., with some spending the night outside the hospital gates. “We provided dental care, including cleaning, extractions, and fillings,” said Mervin Moya, a dentist from Yucaipa, California, United States. “People are happy and leave with smiles on their faces. We only wish we could do more and make an even greater impact.”

Church leadership was also central to the celebration. Samuel Misiani, president of the West Kenya Union Conference, and Samuel Makori, president of the East Kenya Union Conference, led delegations of pastors and administrators. Alongside Philip Gai, CEO of KAH, they reaffirmed the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s commitment to wholistic ministry, addressing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.