Nairobi Hospital, Nairobi Polo Club Join Forces to Boost Player Safety and Cancer Awareness
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, July 2, 2026 — The Nairobi Hospital has partnered with the Nairobi Polo Club in a landmark agreement that will see the hospital become the club’s Official Healthcare Partner for the 2026/2027 polo season, strengthening player safety while using sport to champion preventive healthcare.
The partnership, unveiled during a media briefing at The Nairobi Hospital on Thursday, marks a new chapter for both institutions as they combine their long-standing legacies to promote health, wellness and sporting excellence across Kenya.
For more than 70 years, The Nairobi Hospital has provided specialized healthcare services, while the Nairobi Polo Club has remained at the heart of polo development in Kenya since 1907. Through the new collaboration, the two institutions aim to create safer sporting events while encouraging healthier communities.
As part of the agreement, The Nairobi Hospital will provide comprehensive on-site emergency medical services throughout the polo season. These services will include ambulances, trained emergency response teams, medical equipment, player welfare programmes, health screenings and wellness education during matches and events.
Beyond emergency medical support, the hospital has also been named the headline sponsor of the 2026 Pink Polo Tournament, set for October. The event will form part of the hospital’s wider cancer awareness campaign aimed at encouraging early detection, regular screening and timely access to quality treatment.
The partnership will also use the popularity of polo to educate the public about cancer prevention, promote healthy lifestyles and expand the reach of preventive healthcare programmes to more families across the country.
Speaking during the launch, The Nairobi Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Felix Osano, said the collaboration reflects the hospital’s commitment to taking healthcare beyond its facilities and into the community.
“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,” said Osano.
He added that sponsoring the Pink Polo Tournament demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to advancing preventive healthcare, particularly through cancer awareness and early detection, while using sport as a platform to inspire healthier communities.
The Chairman of the Board of Management at The Nairobi Hospital, Dr. Barcley Onyambu, said the partnership builds on the trust both institutions have earned over decades of serving Kenyans.
“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,” he said.
Nairobi Polo Club Chairman Simon Muchene described the agreement as a major milestone for polo in Kenya, saying it represents far more than medical support during tournaments.
According to Muchene, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to healthy living, sporting excellence and the long-term growth of polo in Kenya.
“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.
Officials from both institutions said the partnership is intended to be a long-term collaboration that brings together healthcare and sport to create lasting benefits for athletes, spectators and the wider community.
They noted that by combining their expertise, The Nairobi Hospital and the Nairobi Polo Club hope to raise safety standards at sporting events while promoting wellness, disease prevention and stronger community engagement across Kenya.
