Details of Uhurus surprise visit to KNH

Details of Uhurus surprise visit to KNH

President Uhuru Kenyatta silently walked to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to witness firsthand the plight of patients.

A series of mishaps, alleged mistreatment of patients, inadequate and failing equipment as well as shortage of personnel pointed to an ailing health facility and questions on the institution’s management.

The President narrated what he saw two weeks ago when he met members of the Nairobi regeneration team at State House Nairobi on Friday.

This includes intense pressure on the available facilities and insufficient medical personnel made worse by the absence of intern doctors.

The President has in the past listed health as one of the four key pillars of his administration. Ten days ago, he fired a warning shot at top bosses within Afya House and managers of public health institutions.

Mimi naendelea kutoa onyo wenzangu. Watu wanaendelea kufikiria wamekalia ofisi eti sasa ni wakati wao wa kutumia mali ya waKenya vibaya. I am putting people on notice (I am issuing a warning to those who think they are in office to misuse public funds),” he said.

He was speaking during the launch of a Ksh.300 million Eye and Dental Unit at Tenwek Mission Hospital in Bomet County.

Sources indicate that a leadership overhaul is in the offing at KNH to inject a dose of fresh management with the first casualty indicated as the facility’s Board members.

Suspended CEO Lily Koros, Company Secretary Calvin Nyachoti, Peter Kiplangat Tum, Dr. Daniel Mukiri Githegi, Dr. Hellen Chebet Yego, Robert Mungai Mburu, Gracie Mullei, Peter Wellington Odundo, Mary Chebukati Wanyonyi and Prof. Fredrick Were are members of the KNH Board.

The curtains could well be drawn on the membership of the Board with a special gazette notice on fresh appointees expected as soon as Tuesday next week.

Former Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo was recently appointed as chairman of the KNH Board and is expected to take office on Wednesday, April 18.

He will be replacing Mark Bor who was moved to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has however downplayed the looming changes even as sources indicate that she met the Board members on Friday in a session that ran late into the night.

She previously said three probe reports on the hospital have been submitted including a public inquiry on the institution by the National Assembly House Committee.

Reports from the Nursing and Clinical councils are yet to be received for analysis and implementation of recommendations.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta Kenyatta National Hospital David Kimaiyo Mark Bor

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