The History of Tenwek Mission Hospital

Faith-based missions play an integral role in promoting healthcare in Kenya. Responding to human needs through care and service is one of the five marks of the Christian mission. Located in the heart of Bomet County, Tenwek Mission Hospital is one of 60 mission hospitals in Kenya. Established in 1937, Tenwek Mission Hospital is a medical ministry of the Africa Gospel Church in collaboration with the World Gospel Mission. 

The Rise Of A Small Clinic 

In 1935, at the height of the colonial period, the government awarded Willis Hotchkiss – a doctor who had been working among the Kipsigis since 1905 – ten acres of land in Tenwek. During this time, a group of young missionaries from Asbury College in Kentucky (now a university) led by Robert and Catherine Smith set off to spread the gospel in Kenya. They ended up on the lush Tenwek hillside amidst torrential waterfalls and enchanting caves.  

However, they encountered one challenge: they wanted to set up a mission station but didn’t have land.  Mr. Hotchkiss, in his benevolent nature, offered his land to the World Gospel Mission (WGM), the body that had commissioned these young missionaries to serve. 

In acceptance of Mr. Hotchkiss’ generosity, WGM flagged Robert and Catherine Smith to begin working in Tenwek. Robert and Catherine established the earliest buildings of a mission station on the land.  While Robert diligently pursued his ministerial responsibilities, Catherine played a vital role in providing essential healthcare services. Her duties ranged from treating various illnesses to facilitating safe childbirth and distributing medicines. However, the growing demand for healthcare necessitated the recruitment of additional medical personnel. 

As a result, WGM sent Gertrude (Trudy) Shyrock in 1937 to serve as the first trained nurse at Tenwek. Trudy helped Catherine provide healthcare and served the community diligently. With time, however, the community’s needs overwhelmed her, pushing her to ask WGM for another helping hand.  

Gertrude (Trudy) Shyrock alongside two African women who were working at Tenwek Hospital. Image credit: Tenwek Mission Hospital

In 1947, Trudy’s request was granted when Edna Boroff – another medical practitioner – arrived at Tenwek.  Edna brought a wealth of expertise, including midwifery skills and laboratory training, substantially elevating the diagnostic capabilities of the rural clinic.  

Clinic To Hospital: The Tenwek Miracle  

These gradual additions of health workers were preparing Tenwek for 1959, the year of its great stroke of luck. WGM sent Dr. Ernie Steury, a medical doctor, and his wife to the clinic that year. Their arrival saw the transformation of Tenwek from a clinic into a fully-fledged hospital in 1962. 

Dr. Steury became a trailblazer who installed a solid foundation on which today’s Tenwek stands. Like bees to honey, other doctors joined him on the hill, accelerating healthcare services at the mission hospital. 

The transformation saw Tenwek design its mission beyond treatment to also offer health education to the community. This saw the hospital fraternity commence a health outreach to teach about disease prevention in 1980. 

The following year, another visitor set foot on the hill. And as the saying goes, a guest sees more in an hour than the host in a year, Franklin Graham’s visit became a blessing to Tenwek Mission Hospital. Upon his arrival, he aided in the raising of funds to further upgrade the hospital, efforts that saw the establishment of a school of nursing in 1987 to train Kenyan nurses as well. 

An Esteemed Medical Thought Leader 

Since then, Tenwek Mission Hospital has risen from grace to grace. As of August 2023, it is an outstanding 361-bed, Level 6(b) – national Teaching and Referral Mission Hospital – serving communities and patients across East Africa. 

In addition, Tenwek Mission Hospital doubles as a home to a College of Health Services and Residency Training programs in several medical specialties and a host of medical services. It harkens to the spirit of collaboration, as it also offers Community Health and Development outreach and enjoys partnerships with several Medical and Christian organisations.