About Pumwani Maternity, Childcare & Referral Hospital
The identity, history and leadership of Kenya’s Level 5 referral maternity hospital — a century of service to mothers and newborns.
A pioneer of maternity care in Sub-Saharan Africa
Pumwani Maternity, Childcare & Referral Hospital is a Level 5 referral hospital located in the eastern part of Nairobi City. It is an obstetric and referral hospital for expectant mothers in Nairobi and the adjoining districts, where all mothers receive comprehensive, essential maternity care — maternity, newborn and childcare services, around the clock.
The facility was founded in 1926 by a charitable organisation, the Lady Grigg Welfare League, which was concerned about the lack of a maternity ward for African women in Nairobi. With the support of the East African Women’s League, Lady Grigg formed the Lady Grigg Child Welfare and Maternity League, and a donation of Shs 17,000 started construction. By 1928 it opened as Lady Grigg Maternity Home — later renamed Pumwani Maternity Hospital, and today Pumwani Maternity, Childcare & Referral Hospital.
The League ran the facility until 1944, when it was handed to the then Municipal Council of Nairobi, and the Council held it until 2013, when devolution brought the hospital under the County Government of Nairobi. Since 2014 it has run as a County Referral Maternity and Newborn Hospital for the Mathari, Eastleigh, Pumwani and Pangani communities and for referrals from the rest of the county and beyond.
From a 27-bed home in 1928, the facility has grown to 354 obstetric beds and 144 baby cots, with outpatient services that support reproductive and newborn care — diagnostic services, maternal and child health clinics, immunisation, family planning, cervical cancer screening, rehabilitative services and comprehensive HIV care. It remains the largest maternity hospital in the country and Sub-Saharan Africa, and is reported to be the third busiest maternity hospital on the African continent.
Our Vision
To be an autonomous, efficient maternity hospital where all mothers receive comprehensive essential maternity care.
Our Mission
To provide leadership in maternity services, training and development of clinical and nursing services.
Our Motto
Uzazi Salama, Taifa Imara — safe motherhood, a strong nation.
At a glance
The five values every team works by
They shape how we treat patients, how we treat one another, and how we account for public resources.
A century of safe motherhood
From a 27-bed charitable home to the largest maternity hospital on the continent.
The foundation
Founded by the Lady Grigg Welfare League, a charitable organisation — the first dedicated maternity home of its kind in the region.
First permanent building
The first permanent building was put up, followed by extensions that grew the hospital to 27 beds.
Municipal takeover & growth
Taken over by the Municipal Council of Nairobi. Beds nearly tripled from 27 to 75 and yearly deliveries rose from 3,000 to 8,000. The original maternity building was converted into a School of Midwifery Studies and a Nurses Hostel.
Presidential expansion
The late President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta opened the expanded unit: 117 beds, an operating theatre, a 50-bed neonatal unit, X-ray, laboratory, library and conference room.
Devolution & county referral status
Under the devolved county system the hospital became a County Referral Maternity and Newborn Hospital, serving Mathari, Eastleigh, Pumwani and Pangani and receiving referrals from across the county.
Level 5 maternity & childcare hospital
Maternity, newborn and outpatient care around the clock, with 354 obstetric beds and 144 baby cots — a Level 5 referral hospital under Nairobi City County.
How the hospital is led
Pumwani Maternity, Childcare & Referral Hospital operates under the jurisdiction of Nairobi City County. View the hospital organizational structure →
Chief Executive Officer
Provides overall leadership as the hospital’s accounting officer and chairs the hospital management team, reporting to the Board of Management.
The Matron
Leads nursing and midwifery practice across all wards, theatres and the newborn unit, safeguarding quality, staffing and respectful maternity care.
Hospital Health Administrator
Heads administration, finance, records and support services, keeping the hospital’s operations efficient and accountable to Nairobi City County.
Board of Management
- Provides oversight of management, performance and stewardship of public resources
- Guides service quality, accountability and patient safety
- Conducts its business through the Office of the Chief Executive Officer
Management structure
- The Chief Executive Officer chairs the hospital management team
- Directorates and departmental heads run the clinical, nursing, administrative and support services
- The full chart of directorates, departments and reporting lines is on the organizational structure page
Working with partners and institutions of higher learning
The hospital works with development partners to strengthen reproductive and newborn care, and provides a placement and research environment with affiliated institutions.
Development partners
Affiliated institutions
- University of Nairobi · Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
- Kenyatta University · Aga Khan University · Daystar University
- Presbyterian University of East Africa · Amref University
- Kenya Defence Forces College of Health Sciences · Nairobi Women’s Hospital College
Research enquiries are welcome through the Office of the CEO — see contact us.
Our commitments to you
Quality is measured, audited and reported — never assumed.
Infection prevention
Hand hygiene, sterile technique and clean-environment protocols enforced across labour wards, theatres and the newborn unit.
Clinical audits & patient safety
Maternal and newborn outcomes are reviewed continuously, with emergency drills and evidence-based protocols.
Respectful maternity care
Every woman has the right to dignity, information, consent and a companion in labour — free from mistreatment.