Leadership shake-up at KUTRRH as Prof Olive Mugenda resigns as board chair
By Lucy Mumbi |
Meanwhile, Dr Zainab Gura has been appointed Acting CEO, replacing Isaac Kamau, who was recently named acting CEO by the board.
Professor Olive Mugenda has resigned as the Chairperson of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) Board, effective immediately.
In a statement on Tuesday, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed confirmed that President William Ruto had received and accepted her resignation.
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Hussein said the President expressed his appreciation for Professor Mugenda's efforts in advancing KUTRRH’s development and governance during her tenure.
Following her resignation, the government has taken measures to ensure stability at the hospital. Hussein noted that the entire KUTRRH Board has been disbanded, and plans to reconstitute it are underway.
Additionally, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has announced leadership changes at the facility.
Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Dagane has been directed to proceed on indefinite leave.
Meanwhile, Dr Zainab Gura has been appointed Acting CEO, replacing Isaac Kamau, who was recently named acting CEO by the board.
"Kamau has been relieved of his duties and instructed to report to the Ministry of Health Headquarters," read the statement.
Hussein noted that the changes aim to restore effective governance at the hospital.
Staff at the KUTRRH staged demonstrations on Monday, protesting the alleged cancellation of their medical insurance and poor working conditions.
The workers, including medical personnel and support staff, also called for the reinstatement of Dagane as the hospital's Chief Executive Officer.
Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) staff protest following the withdrawal of their medical insurance and the suspension of CEO Ahmed Dagane. (Photo: Handout)
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nairobi Branch Chairman, Dr Malindi Chao, raised concerns over the withdrawal of health insurance, stating that the lack of coverage had exposed employees and their dependents to significant financial and emotional strain, hindering their ability to provide or access healthcare services.
In a memorandum, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) echoed these grievances, highlighting unpaid wages and the financial burden placed on staff to purchase uniforms, a practice they termed as a violation of established guidelines.
The Union also pointed to the lack of a clear organisational structure and alleged that most nurses at KUTRRH had not received promotions since the facility's establishment.
KNUN further called for urgent adherence to Executive Order No. 5 of 2024, which outlines human resource reforms in the healthcare sector. The union stressed the need for a transparent, merit-based promotion system to motivate staff and align with the order's objectives.
The workers had urged the government and hospital management to address their concerns promptly to restore morale and ensure the effective delivery of healthcare services.
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