Kenyatta University Hospital under fire over irregular staffing, retirement policy breaches
The committee’s review highlighted the need for strict adherence to the hospital’s policies and procedures, ensuring that such irregularities do not undermine the hospital’s credibility or governance.
The Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has come under scrutiny after a parliamentary committee raised concerns over its staffing practices, which include retaining employees beyond the mandatory retirement age and appointing staff to acting roles for extended periods.
During a session of the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration, and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA), led by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, legislators raised concerns about over Sh20.8 million paid to staff members who had surpassed the legal retirement age of 60.
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The payments, according to the Auditor General’s report, appear to be in direct violation of the hospital’s own human resource policy, which clearly sets the retirement age at 60.
“The hospital’s failure to adhere to its own policies on retirement and the extended acting appointments raises serious concerns about management and accountability at KUTRRH,” said Wangwe during the committee’s meeting on Wednesday.
He stressed the need for transparency and proper adherence to set regulations.
In response, KUTRRH management defended the payments, claiming that the individuals in question were employed under contract, with some having initially served under Kenyatta University.
These staff members were reportedly retained to support the hospital during its operationalisation phase. The hospital further clarified that no current employee is above the mandatory retirement age of 60.
Transition
“The employees referred to by the auditor were part of Kenyatta University before transitioning to the hospital, and they were retained on contract as the hospital was being set up,” the hospital’s management stated.
The director of human resources admitted that retaining these employees past the retirement age was a lapse in compliance but justified the decision owing to the hospital’s operational needs at the time.
“It was indeed an irregularity. However, during the early operationalisation of the hospital, it was important to keep these experienced individuals on board,” she explained.
She also reassured the committee that corrective measures have been introduced. Staff nearing retirement are now given three-month notices and offered pre-retirement training.
Additionally, employees are informed ahead of time regarding the end of their contracts.
KUTRRH CEO, Dr Zeinab Gura Roka, confirmed that the issue had been resolved, with all affected employees no longer in service.
“It was a non-compliance issue that has been addressed. We have taken steps to ensure it does not happen again,” she said.
MPs also raised the issue of officers serving in acting capacities beyond the legally allowed six-month period.
The committee emphasised that acting appointments should be short-term, with a clear path to permanent staffing solutions.
They stressed the importance of following staffing guidelines to ensure fairness and to promote meritocracy within public institutions.
The committee’s review highlighted the need for strict adherence to the hospital’s policies and procedures, ensuring that such irregularities do not undermine the hospital’s credibility or governance.
MPs called on KUTRRH to improve its staffing processes to foster a transparent and accountable public service environment.
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