Former Chairperson of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) Board, Olive Mugenda, who resigned early this week. PHOTO/POOL
Recent developments at Kenyatta University Teaching, Research, and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) have raised a series of questions and speculations regarding the disbandment of the hospital’s Management Board and the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Dagane.
The Chairperson of the Board, Prof. Olive Mugenda, who has led the hospital since its inception in 2019, tendered her resignation on December 3. This marked a significant turning point for the Level 6 public facility, which has been the subject of numerous operational challenges in recent weeks.
In a rapid sequence of events following Prof. Mugenda’s resignation, the State ordered Ahmed Dagane to proceed on indefinite leave. Zainab Gura has been appointed as the acting CEO, with immediate effect. This decision was announced by the Office of the President, with a communication from State House Spokesman Hussein Muhamed, confirming the dissolution of the KUTRRH Management Board and the changes in leadership.
The move came on the heels of unrest within the hospital, where workers, including doctors, nurses, and other staff, paralyzed services and staged demonstrations to protest poor working conditions. Their strike was fueled by a range of grievances, including demands for improved allowances and the disbandment of the Board. They also called for the reinstatement of CEO Dagane, who had been placed on compulsory leave by the KUTRRH Board just days earlier.
Prior to the workers’ strike, investigations had been launched into allegations of financial mismanagement involving Dagane. The KUTRRH Board had appointed Dr. Isaac Kamau as acting CEO pending the investigation. However, the Ministry of Health later intervened, reinstating Dagane, which only fueled further confusion and intrigue.
Amid the turmoil, new questions have arisen regarding Dagane’s qualifications. It has been revealed that he is not a registered nurse under the Nursing Council of Kenya, as required by law. Although Dagane was registered as a nurse in Minnesota, USA, his registration expired in 2016, and there is no indication that he was ever registered locally. This raises serious concerns about his eligibility to hold the CEO position at such a critical institution.
Workers have also voiced frustrations with Prof. Mugenda’s leadership, accusing her of micro-managing hospital operations. Insider reports suggest that there had been ongoing tension between the Board Chairperson and Dagane, particularly regarding his frequent absences from official duties.
Despite the challenges, Prof. Mugenda is credited with overseeing the transformation of KUTRRH into a world-class facility. Under her leadership, the hospital acquired state-of-the-art medical equipment, including the Cyberknife and Lynac machine, and the construction of a children’s hospital and women’s breast care center was initiated.
As the hospital navigates this leadership crisis, questions remain regarding the future direction of KUTRRH, with the workers and the public closely monitoring developments.
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