Amsons provides $35m grant for 10 mother-and-child hospitals in Kenya

BOMET: Tanzanian-founded Amsons Group is funding the construction and equipment of 10 specialised mother-and-child hospitals in Kenya through a $35 million grant, strengthening maternal healthcare and regional private-sector cooperation.

The first facility at Chebunyo in Bomet County will have 250 specialised beds, maternity suites, operating theatres and neonatal intensive-care services.

Amsons will build and equip the hospitals before transferring them to Kenyan public authorities.

President William Ruto said the arrangement creates no debt obligation for Kenya.

“This facility is a grant from Amsons. It’s not a loan, and that’s the value of friendship,” he said.

Amsons Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Edha Nahdi said the programme reflects the company’s belief that regional business expansion should also support community development.

“At Amsons Group, our investment philosophy is anchored on shared prosperity,” Nahdi said.

“We believe that industrial growth and commercial operations across East Africa must go hand-in-hand with human dignity and community empowerment.”

The company says the hospitals are designed to serve up to 100,000 mothers every year.

Facilities will be developed in Bomet, Nairobi, Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu and West Pokot.

Nahdi said the initiative was moving a previous commitment into physical implementation.

“Our commitment would not remain on paper or inside boardrooms, but would reach the ground where healthcare needs are most urgent,” he said.

The hospitals are intended to reduce the long journeys some women undertake to reach specialist care during pregnancy and childbirth while improving access to neonatal support.

The programme divides responsibilities between private capital and government.

Amsons will deliver infrastructure and equipment, while Kenyan authorities will provide healthcare personnel, medicines, maintenance and long-term operating resources.

The arrangement demonstrates one way private resources can complement public investment in essential services.

It also highlights the expanding role of East African companies beyond their domestic economies.

Amsons has increased its presence in Kenya as Tanzanian businesses become more active investors across the region.

Ruto said Kenya intended to continue welcoming such investment.

He reaffirmed Kenya’s support for the East African Community, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area as frameworks for increasing trade and investment.

Ruto said foreign direct investment into Kenya had risen from about $1.6 billion to $3.2 billion during the past three years and cited Amsons among investors contributing to the increase.

For Tanzania, the programme demonstrates the capacity of domestic enterprises to participate more substantially in regional development.

The movement of capital across borders can create new companies, supply chains and employment, but it can also provide resources for infrastructure serving communities.

The hospitals will provide the clearest measure of whether the model works.

Amsons must complete and fully equip the facilities, while Kenyan authorities must ensure they have qualified staff, medicines and sustainable operational financing.

If those responsibilities are met, the initiative could improve access to maternal and newborn healthcare while providing a practical example of cooperation between East African private capital and public institutions.