Mombasa Launches Ksh250 Million Raila Odinga Hospital

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership has issued a condition for talks with President William Samoei Ruto only if the former Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho was made his runningmate in next year’s general election.

The Monday, April 27, 2026 ultimatum was made by the party’s deputy leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.

“We will go for talks as equal partners and the Deputy President post will be our irreducible minimum,” he said.

His sentiments got the support of party chairperson Gladys Wanga, Kisii Governor and ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati, Mombasa County senator Mohamed Faki, and Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba.

The ODM luminaries spoke during the groundbreaking of the Raila Odinga Hospital at Kongowea area of Nyali Subcounty.

The Ksh250 million facility will upgrade the 50-year-old Kongowea Dispensary into a 72-bed Level Four hospital that will be one of the largest in the county after the Coast General Training and Referral Hospital.

“This is going to be a 72-bed capacity facility and expansions will continue as time goes by,” Nassir said. “It’s going to be one of the largest hospitals after Coast General, and we are going to put up four more hospitals.”

The governor said health remains a key pillar of his manifesto, noting the old dispensary has only handled a small number of patients despite serving the community for decades.

In her remarks, chairperson Wanga said the project honours the late Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s legacy in healthcare.

“In memory of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, a true champion of healthcare and dignity for all Kenyans, and alongside Deputy Party Leader Governor Simba Arati, I joined our host, Deputy Party Leader Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, and other leaders for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Raila Odinga Hospital in Kongowea, Nyali,” she said.

She added that the hospital stands as a living tribute to Baba’s vision and ODM’s unwavering commitment to accessible, affordable, and quality universal healthcare for every Kenyan.

The county government says the project will decongest Coast General Hospital and improve services for Kongowea and neighboring areas.