Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu has become the focus of social‑media criticism alleging substandard patient care and unfriendly staff attitudes.

The controversy intensified after a Facebook user posted about a patient who died at the facility, describing the staff as unhelpful and questioning the treatment received.

Other netizens joined the discussion, sharing similar experiences they claim to have had at the hospital, which amplified the online debate.

Hospital officials from the corporate communications department reportedly contacted the original complainant privately, asking the post to be removed rather than addressing the grievance publicly.

Screenshots of the exchange suggested the hospital shifted responsibility onto the complainant, prompting further criticism of the communications approach.

Some users claimed the hospital engaged Kisumu‑based bloggers and influencers in an effort to manage the negative publicity.

The backlash coincided with the institution’s participation in Customer Service Week, during which staff planted 100 trees on the campus, a move that some online commenters questioned as a priority over direct patient‑focused initiatives.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital was upgraded to Level 6 status in June 2025, transitioning from county to national teaching and referral status, a change expected to boost specialised care, training and research capacity.

The facility is currently led by Dr Joshua Clinton Okise, who assumed the acting CEO role in August 2025 after Dr Richard Lesiyampe moved to act as CEO of Kenyatta National Hospital.