BY PHILLIP ORWA
The Nairobi Hospital and the Nairobi Polo Club have announced a landmark partnership that will see the Hospital become the Official Healthcare Partner for the 2026/2027 polo season.
The partnership, which will reinforce a shared commitment to promoting health, safety and sporting excellence in Kenya, was unveiled during a media briefing held at The Nairobi Hospital on Thursday.
Representatives from both institutions described the collaboration as a significant milestone for polo in Kenya and a demonstration of the growing role of strategic partnerships in advancing community health through sport.
The partnership is anchored on the two institutions’ longstanding legacy of service to the community. While The Nairobi Hospital has provided world-class healthcare for more than seven decades, the Nairobi Polo Club has played a pivotal role in developing and promoting polo in Kenya since 1907.
Under the agreement, The Nairobi Hospital will provide comprehensive on-site emergency medical support at Nairobi Polo Club throughout the 2026/2027 season. This includes ambulance services, trained emergency response personnel, medical equipment, player welfare initiatives, health screenings, and wellness education.
In addition to serving as the Club’s Official Healthcare Partner, The Nairobi Hospital will also be the Headline Sponsor of the 2026 Pink Polo Tournament, scheduled for October. The tournament forms part of the Hospital’s broader cancer awareness initiative aimed at encouraging early detection, regular screening, and timely access to quality cancer care. Through this partnership, the Hospital will leverage the popularity of polo to educate the public on cancer prevention, promote healthy lifestyles, and extend the reach of its preventive healthcare programmes to more individuals and families across Kenya.
The Nairobi Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Felix Osano, described the partnership as a natural extension of the Hospital’s mission beyond its facility walls, noting that sport offers one of the most powerful platforms for advancing health and wellness across communities.
“This collaboration allows The Nairobi Hospital to remain a visible presence in the everyday lives of our community, supporting people not only in moments of illness or emergency, but throughout their pursuit of healthier and more active lifestyles. Our role as Headline Sponsor of the Pink Polo Tournament further demonstrates our commitment to championing preventive healthcare, particularly cancer awareness and early detection, while using sport as a platform to inspire healthier communities,” said Osano.
Dr Barcley Onyambu, Chairman of the Board of Management at The Nairobi Hospital, said the Board views the partnership as a continuation of the trust both legacy institutions have built with the communities they have served over many decades.
“This partnership reflects our belief that healthcare extends beyond hospital walls. By supporting sporting events that bring communities together, we are investing in healthier, safer and more informed communities,” said Dr Onyambu.
Nairobi Polo Club Chairman, Mr Simon Muchene, welcomed the partnership as a significant milestone in raising the standards of polo in Kenya, saying it goes beyond emergency medical support to reflect both institutions’ shared commitment to healthy living, sporting excellence, and the sustainable growth of the sport.
“Player safety and spectator well-being are fundamental to the success of our sport. Partnering with The Nairobi Hospital gives our members, players and guests the confidence that world-class medical support will be available throughout the season,” he said.
The partnership marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration that brings together two iconic Kenyan institutions united by a common purpose: promoting excellence, safeguarding the wellbeing of athletes and spectators, and creating lasting positive impact through sport, healthcare and community engagement.
