Editor's Review

President William Ruto received and accepted Prof. Olive Mugenda's resignation with immediate effect.

Professor Olive Mugenda has stepped down as the chair of the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital Board.

Her appointment was consequently revoked by President William Ruto in a Gazette Notice dated December 3, 2024.

State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed in a statement Tuesday said President William Ruto received and accepted her resignation with immediate effect.

"President William Ruto has received and accepted the resignation of Professor Olive Mugenda as the Chairperson of the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) Board, with immediate effect.

"The President acknowledges Professor Mugenda's significant contributions to the growth and development of KUTRRH during her tenure and extends his gratitude for her service," the statement read in part.

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Following Mugenda's resignation, Mohamed said the KUTRRH Board has consequently been disbanded in a move aimed at restoring stability and effective governance of KUTRRH.

"Following Professor Mugenda's resignation, and in line with efforts to restore stability and effective governance at KUTRRH, the entire KUTRRH Board has been disbanded with immediate effect, and the process of reconstituting it has commenced," the statement further read.

File image of Prof. Olive Mugenda and President William Ruto 
Additionally, Mohamed announced leadership changes at the hospital as per directives issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Health.

KUTRRH CEO Ahmed Dagane will proceed on indefinite leave while Dr. Zainab Gura will serve as the new CEO in an acting capacity.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Health directed Isaac Kamau who was recently appointed by the board as Acting CEO to report to the Ministry of Health after he was released from his duties.

On Monday, December 2, operations at KUTRRH were disrupted due to a strike by staff protesting poor working conditions and the suspension of their medical cover. 

The workers demand the reinstatement of their medical insurance, reimbursement for medical expenses incurred during the suspension, and the reinstatement of Dagane who was placed on leave by the Board.

“The management has also disregarded timelines set by the Ministry of Labour's conciliator following the strike notice issued on September 9, 2024. As KUTRRH employees, we demand the immediate disbandment of the current Board, which has outlived its usefulness.

"A caretaker Board should be put in place to facilitate the selection of a new Board that can continue the hospital's growth and development,” the striking medics said.