The Nairobi Hospital has entered into a partnership with the Nairobi Polo Club to provide healthcare services during the 2026/2027 polo season in a move aimed at enhancing player safety, promoting preventive healthcare and supporting the growth of sports in Kenya.
The partnership, unveiled on Thursday during a media briefing at The Nairobi Hospital, will see the hospital serve as the official healthcare partner for the Nairobi Polo Club throughout the season.
Under the agreement, The Nairobi Hospital will provide on-site emergency medical services during polo events, including ambulance support, trained emergency response personnel, medical equipment, health screening programmes and wellness education for players, officials and spectators.
The collaboration also positions the hospital as the headline sponsor of the 2026 Pink Polo Tournament scheduled for October. The tournament will form part of the hospital’s cancer awareness campaign, with a focus on promoting early detection, regular screening and increased public awareness on cancer prevention.
Speaking during the launch, The Nairobi Hospital Chief Executive Officer Felix Osano said the partnership reflects the institution’s commitment to extending healthcare services beyond hospital facilities by engaging communities through sports.
He noted that the collaboration provides an opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles while strengthening access to preventive healthcare initiatives, including cancer awareness programmes.
At the same time, Nairobi Hospital Chairman of the Board of Management Dr Barcley Onyambu, said the partnership demonstrates the institution’s belief that healthcare extends beyond treatment and includes initiatives that encourage healthier and safer communities.
He observed that supporting sporting activities offer an opportunity to promote public health while strengthening community engagement.
Nairobi Polo Club Chairman Simon Muchene welcomed the collaboration, saying it would improve safety standards during competitions and enhance the welfare of players and spectators.
He said access to professional emergency medical services throughout the polo season would contribute to the continued growth of the sport while giving participants confidence in the availability of quality healthcare support.
The Nairobi Hospital, one of the country’s leading healthcare institutions, has provided specialised medical services for more than seven decades, while the Nairobi Polo Club has played a key role in the development and promotion of polo in Kenya since 1907.
The two institutions said the partnership seeks to strengthen collaboration between the health and sports sectors by promoting wellness, improving emergency preparedness during sporting events and supporting community-based health education initiatives.
The collaboration is expected to contribute to safer sporting events while advancing awareness on preventive healthcare among participants and the wider public.
By Aron Kinyamasyo
