Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret set a record in Kenya’s health care by successfully performing the country’s first-ever Renal Artery Bypass Surgery.
The groundbreaking operation was carried out on June 24, 2025, by the hospital’s Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery team, led by Dr. Stephen Takow. The patient, a 20-year-old woman, has since been discharged and is now recovering well at home.
Dr. Philip Kirwa, the head of MTRH, said that the young woman was found to have renovascular hypertension. This health issue pops up when the blood tubes to the kidneys get too tight. This made her blood pressure shoot up and posed serious risks to her health.
After evaluating the case, the surgical team determined that less invasive procedures typically used to open narrowed arteries like angioplasty and stenting were not suitable due to the severity of the blockage. They chose to go with a renal artery bypass instead. It was the first time doctors in Kenya carried out such a procedure.
“The groundbreaking surgery went in very well. It was successful and she is recuperating well and has been discharged,” said Dr Kirwa.
The procedure involved grafting a blood vessel, either from the patient or using a synthetic graft, to go around the clogged kidney artery, effectively restoring normal blood flow to the kidneys.
Dr. Kirwa described the successful operation as a big leap in specialized healthcare delivery. He noted that the achievement reflects MTRH’s commitment to surgical innovation and to expanding access to advanced medical procedures within Kenya.
MTRH has made significant progress in delivering cutting-edge care in recent years. The renal artery bypass adds to a growing list of specialized procedures the hospital has successfully introduced, further strengthening its reputation as a regional hub for medical excellence.
