Kenyatta National Hospital on the spot over power struggle at the helm
Legislators said the continued absence of Dr Kamuri from committee sessions undermines parliamentary oversight and could point to deeper problems in how the hospital is run.
Kenyatta National Hospital is facing scrutiny from Parliament over a leadership dispute that has raised serious concerns about governance and accountability at the country’s top referral facility.
The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture was left frustrated after the hospital on Tuesday, failed for the second time to present its officially appointed CEO, Dr Evanson Kamuri, opting instead to send Dr William Sigilai, who introduced himself as acting CEO.
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Appearing before the committee, Dr Sigilai explained that the hospital’s Board of Management had appointed him to act while Dr Kamuri was on leave.
“The letter from the board of management was issued to me since the CEO is on leave, and that office cannot be left vacant,” he said.
But MPs were not satisfied with the explanation. They demanded official board minutes and a formal appointment letter to confirm the legitimacy of Dr Sigilai’s role, warning that a leadership vacuum at such a key institution could lead to confusion and weaken accountability structures.
“Why are you having two CEOs, yet there is a substantive CEO who is the accounting officer and to whom we had invited here?” asked committee chair Emmanuel Wangwe.
Legislators said the continued absence of Dr Kamuri from committee sessions undermines parliamentary oversight and could point to deeper problems in how the hospital is run.
They raised alarm over the lack of clear communication and coordination from KNH’s management, saying it threatens effective service delivery and financial transparency.
“We cannot continue with this meeting having the wrong person. This is the second invite, and in the third, it will be termed as a sermon to you, the management,” Wangwe warned, signalling tougher action ahead.
The committee has now demanded full documentation to justify Dr Sigilai’s appointment and clarify the hospital’s leadership structure.
The standoff has once again placed a spotlight on internal governance issues at Kenya’s largest and most critical public health institution.
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