The family of former Jaramogi Oginga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JTRH) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. George Rae, is appealing for financial assistance to raise KSh 20 million to clear a medical bill accrued during his treatment in South Korea, where he later died.
Dr. Rae, who was serving as a health advisor with the Kisumu County Department of Medical Services, reportedly fell ill while on an official work-related tour in the East Asian country. His body remains in South Korea, as it cannot be repatriated until the outstanding hospital and mortuary bills are fully settled.
Until his death, Dr. Rae served as the Head of Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation within the county’s health department.
According to the family, Dr. Rae travelled to South Korea on November 30, 2025, as part of a county delegation exploring development partnerships. The last photo of him, taken on December 4, 2025, shows him in good health just minutes before he suddenly collapsed.
“George Rae was well, which is why he was part of the delegation to Korea to discuss proposed development programmes for the county and the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB),” said family spokesperson Dr. Odera Rogo.
Dr. Rogo said the incident occurred as the delegation was touring parliamentary buildings.
“As they were leaving and he was boarding the bus, he suddenly collapsed and became breathless. Emergency services were called and he was rushed to a nearby hospital,” he said.
The family confirmed that Dr. Rae was admitted to intensive care units at two major hospitals in South Korea before he succumbed on December 26, 2025, at around 7:00 pm Kenyan time.
They are now grappling with the challenge of raising approximately KSh 20 million to clear the medical bill and ongoing mortuary charges.
“The bill had risen to over KSh 17 million, out of which about KSh 3 million was paid using contributions from the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) and the family,” Dr. Rogo said.
Before joining the Kisumu County government, Dr. Rae served as CEO of Jaramogi Oginga Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he left a lasting legacy. In a tribute, the hospital said Dr. Rae—fondly known as ‘Papa’—was instrumental in pioneering the Sickle Cell Zero Movement and establishing Warrior Support Groups.
He also facilitated the introduction of bone marrow transplant services, oversaw major infrastructure upgrades, and championed the installation of an oxygen plant that supplied life-saving oxygen to wards during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kenya Medical Association President Dr. Simon Kigondu also paid tribute, citing Dr. Rae’s leadership as chair of the KMA Managed Healthcare Committee, where he played a key role in shaping health reforms that informed improvements under the now-defunct NHIF, currently replaced by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Dr. Rogo criticised the health financing system, saying it had failed a senior medical professional who fell ill while on official duty.
“That this can happen to a senior official is an indictment of our system. We have engaged SHA, but they have told us their policy does not cover treatment for members who fall ill outside the country,” he said.
The Kisumu County Government has committed to supporting the repatriation of Dr. Rae’s body, but this is contingent upon the settlement of the outstanding medical bill—an obligation the family says remains their biggest challenge.
“He was on official duty for the county and government. What responsibility is taken here? Is this amount too big for the county and national government to clear?” Dr. Rogo posed.
The family is now appealing to well-wishers to help raise the funds needed to bring Dr. Rae’s body home and accord him a dignified burial.
