KUTRRH board chair Olive Mugenda resigns as CEO is suspended

Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) Board chairperson Prof Olive Mugenda has resigned.

In a statement on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed announced that the whole board had also been disbanded.

Also, the CEO, Ahmed Dagane, has been directed to proceed on indefinite leave and Dr Zainab Gura appointed as the acting CEO.

Isaac Kamau, who was recently appointed by the board as the acting CEO, has been released from his duties and directed to report to the Ministry of Health Headquarters.

“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,” Mohamed stated.

“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. 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.”

KUTRRH staff strike

This comes a day after the hospital’s staff held demonstrations over the cancellation of health cover and poor working conditions.

The medical personnel, non-staff and other employees also demanded the reinstatement of Ahmed Dagane as the CEO.

“As per directives from the Cabinet Secretary for Health: the CEO, Mr. Ahmed Dagane, has been directed to proceed on indefinite leave. Dr Zainab Gura has been appointed as the Acting CEO of KUTRRH. Mr Isaac Kamau, who was recently appointed by the board as Acting CEO, has been released from his duties and is directed to report to the Ministry of Health Headquarters,” Mohamed added.

The workers also protested over a lack of a clear organizational structure.