Professor Olive Mugenda has resigned as the Chairperson of the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) Board. Her appointment was subsequently revoked by President William Ruto through a Gazette Notice dated December 3, 2024.
In a statement on Tuesday, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed confirmed that President Ruto had accepted Mugenda’s 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,” read the statement in part.
The President also acknowledged Mugenda’s contributions during her tenure, saying, “He extends his gratitude for her significant efforts toward the growth and development of KUTRRH.”
Following Mugenda’s resignation, the KUTRRH Board was disbanded in a move aimed at restoring stability and effective governance at the hospital.
“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 noted.
State House further announced leadership changes at KUTRRH as directed by the Ministry of Health.
KUTRRH CEO Ahmed Dagane has been sent on indefinite leave, with Dr. Zainab Gura taking over as Acting CEO. The Ministry also directed Isaac Kamau, recently appointed as Acting CEO by the Board, to report to the Ministry after being released from his duties.
These developments come amid a staff strike at KUTRRH over poor working conditions and the suspension of their medical cover. The workers, who protested on Monday, December 2, are demanding the reinstatement of their medical insurance, reimbursement for incurred medical expenses, and the return of Dagane as CEO.
“The management has disregarded timelines set by the Ministry of Labour’s conciliator following the strike notice issued on September 9, 2024. We demand the immediate disbandment of the current Board, which has outlived its usefulness,” the striking medics said in a statement.
The employees also called for the formation of a caretaker board to oversee the hospital’s transition and ensure continued growth and development.
