Makueni -In a quiet ward at Makueni County Referral Hospital, a man rests his head bandaged, his future a little brighter.
Until recently, no one would have expected it. Brain surgery, the kind usually carried out in Nairobi or flown overseas, has now happened here on county soil.
It was the hospital’s first.
Led by consultant neurosurgeon Dr Muthoka Mativo and Dr Angela Murunga, the six-hour operation removed a tumour from a 69-year-old patient who had been battling debilitating headaches and seizures for months.
“This isn’t just a win for medicine,” Dr Mativo said in a statement. “It’s a win for the people of Makueni.”
For local officials, the successful surgery is more than just a medical achievement. It is a reflection of years of investment in public health and a sign that devolution is starting to deliver on its promise.
A local hospital steps up
Once known mainly for handling minor ailments and referrals to Nairobi, Makueni County Referral Hospital is now equipped with a fully functional surgical theatre and a team confident enough to take on one of medicine’s most delicate procedures.
“This changes everything,” said Dr Murunga. “People no longer need to travel hundreds of kilometres for specialized care. We can save lives right here.”
The surgery involved high stakes. The goal wasn’t only to remove the tumour, but to do so without damaging parts of the brain responsible for speech, movement, and memory.
The patient, whose name has been withheld to protect his privacy, is said to be recovering steadily. Hospital staff describe him as alert and responding well.
“He’s surrounded by family,” said a nurse close to the case. “He’s not just healing. He’s home.”
Shifting the healthcare narrative
In Kenya, access to complex surgeries has often depended on wealth or location. Nairobi remains the country’s hub for high-level medical care, while many counties still struggle with basics.
But moments like this, in places like Makueni, suggest change may be underway.
Local health officials are calling it a turning point.
“We’re showing what’s possible,” said a senior officer from the county’s health department. “When you support local hospitals with resources and personnel, miracles start happening.”
The road ahead
Still, the challenges are far from over. Equipment shortages, staffing gaps, and the need for continuous training remain pressing issues in most public hospitals.
But this operation this quiet, six-hour feat has made one thing clear: skilled care doesn’t always need to be miles away.
For the people of Makueni, that knowledge may be as powerful as any medicine.
