KENYA—The Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has appointed Isaac Irungu Kamau as its acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.
This decision comes after the hospital’s Board of Directors resolved to suspend the current CEO, Ahmed Dagane, over allegations of irregularly awarding a KSh287 million (US$2.21 million) insurance tender.
According to a statement from Board Chairperson Prof. Olive Mugenda, the resolution was reached during a meeting on November 28, 2024.
“Following a resolution by the Board to allow the Chief Executive Officer to proceed on leave, you are hereby appointed to the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer (Ag. CEO) with immediate effect,” the letter addressed to Irungu stated.
Mr. Irungu, who previously served as the Director of the Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre (IMIC) and Hospital Operations at KUTRRH, will hold the acting CEO position until further notice.
The Board assured him of the necessary allowances for his new role and expressed confidence in his ability to lead, noting, “The Board of Directors looks forward to efficient and effective service delivery under your leadership.”
According to Capital FM, Dagane’s suspension follows heightened scrutiny of public institutions over alleged kickbacks in tender awards, including a recent Kenya Maritime Authority scandal.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been requested to investigate Dagane for potential procurement and public finance law violations.
The Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education had previously criticized his leadership at KUTRRH, which began in July 2022.
In September 2023, members of the committee questioned Dagane’s qualifications, pointing out that he is not a medical doctor but holds a degree in nursing and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
However, Prof. Mugenda defended Dagane’s appointment, highlighting his health sector experience and leadership credentials.
KUTRRH, a Sh8 billion (US$61.65 million) state-of-the-art medical facility, became a state corporation under the Ministry of Health in January 2019.
This followed a directive by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who issued an executive order to that effect.
The hospital, which is overseen by a CEO and a board of management, is one of three parastatals under the Health Ministry, alongside Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
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