By Njeri Irungu
The Nairobi Hospital has entered into a strategic partnership with the Nairobi Polo Club, becoming the club’s Official Healthcare Partner for the 2026/2027 polo season in a move aimed at improving medical preparedness at sporting events while promoting preventive healthcare.
The partnership was unveiled during a media briefing held at The Nairobi Hospital on Thursday, where officials from both institutions said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to athlete safety, community wellness and expanding access to quality healthcare.
As part of the agreement, The Nairobi Hospital will provide medical support during Nairobi Polo Club events throughout the season. This will include fully equipped ambulances, trained emergency response teams, medical equipment and on-site healthcare services to ensure players and spectators receive prompt medical attention whenever needed.
The collaboration will also focus on player welfare through health screenings, wellness programmes and public health education designed to encourage healthier lifestyles among athletes, club members and the wider community.
Beyond providing medical services, The Nairobi Hospital has also been named the headline sponsor of the 2026 Pink Polo Tournament, scheduled for October. The event will support the hospital’s efforts to raise awareness about cancer prevention and the importance of early screening.
Through the popularity of the game of polo, the hospital aims to educate Kenyans about cancer awareness, regular health checks, and prevention of diseases.
The Nairobi Hospital Chief Executive Officer Felix Osano stated that the collaboration is an example of how the hospital has been working to move healthcare out of its premises and engage the community through health-related initiatives aimed at ensuring healthy living.
The CEO said that this collaboration enables the hospital to partner with people in their well-being processes while emphasizing the hospital’s interest in preventive healthcare, specifically on issues of cancer awareness and detection.
The Chairman of the Board of Management of The Nairobi Hospital, Dr. Barcley Onyambu, said that the partnership shows the hospital’s philosophy of quality healthcare as one which involves not only treating the patients but also partnering with other organizations that would contribute to building healthier communities.
According to Dr. Onyambu, sports partnerships provide healthcare institutions with an opportunity to interact with many people, raise health issues, and create a healthier community.
The Chairman of Nairobi Polo Club, Simon Muchene, expressed his delight at the partnership, saying that it is a major milestone in the development of polo in Kenya. Access to quality medical care will not only ensure the safety of players but will also increase the confidence of spectators.
The new partnership unites two venerable institutions. Although The Nairobi Hospital has been catering to the health needs of Kenyans for over 70 years, the Nairobi Polo Club has been a significant contributor to the development and promotion of polo in the country since 1907.
Representatives of both companies expressed their belief that this cooperation would become a long-lasting partnership.
