Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has been elevated from a government entity to a parastatal under the County Government of Kisumu.
The facility was elevated through Executive Order No 1 of 2024 issued by Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o.
The Kisumu Governor directed the JOOTRH board of management to operational autonomy in the general management and administration of the facility based on the constitutional and statutory principles of integrity, good governance, professionalism, and public accountability.
Nyong’o also directed the JOOTRH board to establish its own governance strategy and policy direction.
“That pursuant to its instrument of appointment, the Board shall operate with autonomy in establishing and defining its own governance, strategy and policy directions including in regards to issues of its financial capacities such as audit, banking, capitalization, procurements, as well as asset and investments, as is necessary for the execution of its mandate,” read the executive order in part.
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He also instructed the Board to take steps to enhance its governance functions, to consider the promulgation of its rules and regulations, to create or review a Board Charter, and to exercise all other powers under its authority as may be necessary.
Governor Nyong’o noted that the freedom and autonomy enjoyed by the Board shall extend to its mandate to establish necessary partnerships, associations, trusts, and joint ventures with corporations and groups or other organizations in pursuit of its mission in line with constitutional principles.
He mentioned that the directives shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of funding as by law provided.
Further Nyong’o said the elevation of the medical facility is not intended to create any right of benefit.
“This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the County Government of Kisumu, its agencies, entities, officers, employees, agents, or any other person,” the executive order added.
JOOTRH is the oldest and most developed medical facility servicing a catchment regional population of over 10 million people from the Nyanza region.
The facility also offers training to doctors, nurses, and other medical and health science professionals in collaboration with institutions of higher learning such as the University of Nairobi, Maseno University, and Uzima University.
