Nairobi, Kenya – In a significant development at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), Professor Olive Mugenda has resigned as Chairperson of the hospital’s board amid escalating protests from staff. President William Ruto has accepted her resignation and initiated a sweeping overhaul of the institution’s leadership to address concerns and restore stability.
Protests and Grievances The resignation follows a day of intense demonstrations by KUTRRH staff on Monday, December 2, where protestors aired grievances over alleged mismanagement and human resource challenges. Chanting slogans such as “Haki Yetu” and “Mugenda Must Go,” staff decried poor adherence to human resource policies and cited a negative impact on their welfare and the hospital’s service delivery.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) had earlier raised alarms about gaps in the hospital’s management practices, calling for immediate government intervention to safeguard the institution’s integrity and functionality.
Sector-Wide Healthcare Reforms This leadership shake-up comes against the backdrop of broader reforms in Kenya’s healthcare sector. Through Executive Order No. 5 of 2024, President Ruto established a Presidential Taskforce on Human Resources for Health (HRH) to address systemic challenges and improve the working conditions of healthcare workers nationwide.
A Path Forward As the restructuring process begins, the Ministry of Health has pledged to foster a positive work environment that prioritizes staff welfare and the delivery of high-quality healthcare services. The government aims to ensure that KUTRRH emerges stronger and better equipped to serve its critical role in the healthcare system.
