In a defiant rebuttal to mounting allegations of patient neglect, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Acting CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe has dismissed reports of a food crisis at the referral facility as "unfortunate misinformation," asserting the hospital is operating at peak efficiency.

The statement comes just days after investigative reports, including those by Streamline News, highlighted claims of patients missing meals and critical shortages of diagnostic reagents. For the thousands of Kenyans who rely on KNH as their court of last resort, the disconnect between the administration's assurances and the reality on the wards has never been starker.

'The Best Drug is Food'

Addressing the press from the hospital's Upper Hill headquarters, Dr. Lesiyampe sought to dismantle the narrative of a system in collapse. He emphasized that nutrition at KNH is treated not merely as a hospitality service, but as a core clinical intervention.

"There is no day a patient will have no food in KNH," Dr. Lesiyampe stated. "In a healthcare environment, the best drug on earth is food. That is how we achieve efficacy in medicine. We don't just provide 'normal' cooking; we provide specialized nutrition based on specific clinical conditions."

To bolster his defense, the Acting CEO claimed he had personally inspected the hospital's stores and found them fully stocked. He further noted that the facility's 13 laboratories are currently processing up to 1,000 tests daily, dismissing parallel allegations that doctors were working without essential reagents or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The Billion-Shilling Disconnect

While the CEO's confidence was palpable, the financial backdrop paints a more complex picture. KNH is currently grappling with a severe liquidity strain, exacerbated by delayed disbursements from the exchequer and the Social Health Authority (SHA).

• SHA Debt: The hospital is owed approximately KES 1.58 billion by the Social Health Authority.
• Daily Revenue: KNH collects between KES 40 million and KES 60 million daily from patients, yet operational costs continue to outpace liquidity.
• Budget Cuts: In August 2025, the Ministry of Health acknowledged a KES 3 billion budget cut affecting the facility.

Critics argue that "100% efficiency" is a statistical impossibility in this financial climate. Sources within the hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, have previously indicated to Streamline News that suppliers often withhold deliveries due to pending bills—a claim Dr. Lesiyampe explicitly denied, stating, "Our suppliers have continuously delivered."

A Question of Trust

The stakes could not be higher. As East and Central Africa's largest referral hospital, KNH is the safety net for millions. When the safety net frays, the impact is felt in households from Kibra to Kiambu.

Dr. Lesiyampe, who took the helm in August following the tenure of Dr. Evanson Kamuri, is under immense pressure to restore public confidence. His administration insists that the "massive surge" in patient numbers is being managed effectively.

However, for the families purchasing food from outside vendors to feed their admitted relatives, the assurance that "stores are full" may ring hollow. As the standoff between official narratives and patient testimonials continues, the true measure of KNH's efficiency will not be found in press statements, but on the plates of the sick.