Irungu Kamau named Acting KU Hospital CEO as Ahmed Dagane sent on leave

The Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has appointed Irungu Kamau as its acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.

This comes after CEO Ahmed Mohammed Dagane was placed on compulsory leave on Thursday, following a resolution made during a board meeting on Wednesday.

"Following a resolution by the Board in a meeting held on 28th November 2024, 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 from the date of this letter,” KUTRRH Board Chairperson Prof. Olive Mugenda said in a letter announcing the appointment. 

“Your appointment will remain in effect until further notice. You will be paid appropriate allowances as the Ag. Chief Executive Officer. We wish you well and the Board of Directors looks forward to efficient and effective service delivery."

The decision to send Dagane on leave, Mugenda says, came after serious concerns were raised regarding the procurement process of the staff medical cover from Jubilee Health Insurance Limited for the FY 2024-2025.

"At the Board meeting held on Wednesday, 28th November 2024 serious concerns were raised regarding the procurement process of the staff medical cover from Jubilee Health Insurance Limited for the FY 2024-2025," said Mugenda in a Wednesday statement.

Further, he noted that several critical board resolutions had not been implemented without adequate explanation, under Dagane's watch.

"It has also been noted that several critical Board resolutions have not been implemented for unexplained reasons, thus affecting service delivery, patient care and achievement of the core mandate of the hospital," Mugenda said.

"In this regard and in compliance with circular Ref: OP/CAB.2/1 of 27 September 2023, the Board found it prudent that you proceed on leave on your accumulated annual leave days for the FY 2023-2024, totalling twenty-five (25) working days with immediate effect from the date of this letter.

According to Prof Mugenda, Dagane's temporary exit will allow the KUTRRH board to streamline operations for efficiency and effectiveness.