Odoyo Owidi has recently drawn attention on social media after questioning the look and status of the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
In his Facebook post, he mocked the design of the hospital, saying it looked more like a petrol station because of its oversized sign.
He suggested that without the large sign, one might not even recognize it as a medical facility. His statement has stirred debate because it goes beyond the appearance of the hospital and touches on whether the facility is truly a level 5 hospital as Governor Gladys Wanga has repeatedly described it.
Owidi noted that Governor Wanga referred to the hospital as level 5 in her addresses to residents, including those in Karachuonyo.
He questioned this classification by comparing it with other hospitals in the region. For example, he argued that Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi is still considered level 4, and he wondered how Homa Bay’s facility could be ranked higher.
He also pointed out that in the Nyanza region only two facilities genuinely stand at level 5: the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu and the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital.
His argument adds weight to the concerns of those who think Homa Bay’s hospital upgrade is more of a public relations achievement than a real leap in healthcare.
The Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital has long served the people of the county and surrounding areas.
In December 2023, the Ministry of Health officially accredited it as a level 5 facility. The move was welcomed by Governor Wanga, who celebrated it on her social media pages as a big step for local healthcare.
The new status meant the hospital could now offer more advanced services such as specialized care, research, and medical training. It was also meant to reduce the number of referrals sent to Kisumu or Kisii.
However, some records and directories still list it as a level 4 facility, which explains why there is confusion about its true classification.
The county invested in infrastructure upgrades, including a new outpatient block, to support its elevation.
These changes improved the hospital’s ability to handle more patients, but critics like Owidi believe the changes focus too much on appearances.
The oversized signage and modern design, which some see as branding, have been used online to argue that the hospital is being packaged for show while still struggling with issues such as shortages of staff and medicine.
For supporters of Wanga, however, the branding makes the hospital more approachable and shows commitment to development.
The debate is also political. Owidi, a UDA member, has been a frequent critic of Governor Wanga, who belongs to ODM.
Beyond the hospital issue, he has accused her of favoritism and weak governance. Videos and posts show him regularly clashing with her policies on different platforms.
On social media, reactions remain divided.
Some people echo Owidi’s description of the hospital as a “petrol station” and argue that appearances do not matter if services are poor. Others see the elevation to level 5 as progress that should be welcomed, given Homa Bay’s history of lagging behind in health infrastructure.
The argument reveals a wider problem faced by counties, how to balance the image of development with actual service delivery.
The criticism from Owidi has at least pushed residents to reflect on what matters most in public health projects. A hospital must do more than display a big sign or boast a new title. It must have the staff, equipment, and services to meet the needs of the people.
Whether Governor Wanga’s administration can prove that Homa Bay hospital truly functions as a level 5 facility is a test that will go beyond politics and public relations.
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