KUTRRH staff strike over suspended CEO, medical insurance withdrawal

Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) staff have downed their tools following the withdrawal of their medical insurance and the suspension of CEO Ahmed Dagane.

KUTRRH’s board recently appointed Isaac Irungu Kamau as the acting CEO after suspending Dagane over allegations of irregularly awarding a Sh287 million insurance tender.

The appointment, effective immediately, was confirmed in a letter dated November 28, 2024, signed by the hospital's chairperson, Prof. Olive Mugenda.

The board requested the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate Dagane for allegedly violating procurement and public finance regulations.

The suspension followed increased scrutiny of public institutions over suspected kickbacks in insurance tender awards, including a recent Kenya Maritime Authority scandal.

However, on Monday, the staff took to the streets to demand the removal of Mugenda.

Videos and photos circulating online showed the angry medics repeatedly chanting, “Mugenda Must Go,” a demand that was prompted by claims of mismanagement of the hospital.

In a letter dated December 2, 2024, and addressed to the KUTRRH CEO, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) Secretary for the Nairobi Branch, Malindi Chao, highlighted the impact of these changes on the staff’s welfare and the critical importance of medical insurance for hospital staff.

Chao stressed that the removal of the insurance cover had left workers vulnerable to financial, physical, and emotional distress, which, in turn, affected their ability to provide healthcare services to the public.

Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital staff stage peaceful demos chanting 'Mugenda Must Go!' They are demanding the resignation of Prof. Olive Mugenda, the chairperson of the facility's board.

They have accused Prof Mugenda of gross mismanagement of the… pic.twitter.com/eWoQMVoQsV

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) December 2, 2024

"Access to reliable comprehensive medical insurance cover is a fundamental right for our members, ensuring their welfare. It is with great respect that we bring to your attention a matter of great concern—the withdrawal of medical insurance cover," Chao said.

Lack of healthcare access

Chao further noted that the withdrawal of insurance was putting significant pressure on the hospital’s employees, as they were now unable to access necessary healthcare services themselves.

The union has demanded the immediate reinstatement of the cover, warning that failure to do so would lead to a go-slow by the staff within 24 hours.

In addition to the insurance issue, the staff expressed concerns over non-payment of uniform allowances, stalled promotions, and mis-designations of nurses.

A memorandum from the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) noted that these critical issues have caused dissatisfaction and frustration among staff, who have not received proper recognition for their roles and responsibilities.

Further, the staff decried that the absence of a clear organisational structure at the hospital has left many employees uncertain about their career progression and future prospects.

The union has called for urgent attention to these grievances, particularly in light of Executive Order No. 5 of 2024, which mandates reforms in healthcare human resource management.

The union also called for a swift resolution to these longstanding issues to ensure the hospital’s staff could work in a conducive and supportive environment.

The staff lamented that although they had begun working at the institution in 2019, conditions at the hospital have remained unchanged since the pandemic.

“As the hospital continues to increase in staff and patient numbers, a number of issues have also arisen, most of which have been addressed to your office with little or no response at all, aimed at addressing the said issues,” the staff said.

“This has not only led to untold suffering among the aggrieved staff members, including poor staff morale, a toxic work environment, stagnation in the same job group, loss of income, mental ill health, and staff attrition, just to name a few.”