The Ministry of Health (MoH) has intervened to halt the forced leave of Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) CEO Ahmed Dagane, marking a significant development in the hospital’s internal governance. The hospital’s board had directed Dagane to proceed on leave until further notice, citing unresolved issues related to his performance. However, in a decisive move, the MoH has instructed Dagane to remain in office while addressing the disputes between him and the board.
Forced Leave Sparks Controversy
On Thursday, the KUTRRH board had communicated its decision for Dagane to take a compulsory leave, appointing an acting CEO to manage operations. However, Dagane challenged the directive, arguing that it was made in bad faith and contravened public service regulations. In a letter to the board chair, Prof. Olive Mugenda, Dagane emphasized that the decision to force him on leave violated the Public Service Human Resource and Procedural Manual (2006), the hospital’s internal HR policies, and the Employment Act.
“Leave days are neither accumulative nor commutable beyond prescribed limits,” Dagane stated, adding that he customarily schedules his leave to coincide with Ramadhan. He confirmed his intention to take his annual leave in March 2025, as per his routine.
Claims of Procedural Irregularities
Dagane accused the board of making decisions that he found procedurally and legally irregular, particularly concerning procurement and project implementation. Among the contentious issues was the procurement of a health insurance provider for hospital staff and the failure to operationalize key projects such as the hospital’s cancer center and Gatundu Hospital Annex.
“I have consistently sought guidance from the Public Procurement and Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and the parent ministry on budgetary constraints affecting the lawful execution of these resolutions,” Dagane explained.
He alleged that some board members had overstepped their roles, with one individual reportedly involving themselves in daily hospital operations, including weekends. Dagane expressed confidence that the government was addressing the matter.
Board Defends Its Decision
The board defended its directive, citing Dagane’s failure to implement critical decisions, which it claimed had hindered the hospital’s operations. In a letter dated November 28, 2024, Prof. Mugenda stated that the board acted in accordance with established circulars and that Dagane had 25 working days of accumulated leave for the 2023-2024 financial year.
Ministry’s Intervention
The Ministry of Health stepped in on Friday, instructing the hospital’s leadership to allow Dagane to remain in office. The intervention underscores the ministry’s efforts to ensure stability in one of Kenya’s flagship public hospitals, which serves patients from over 22 countries.
Vision for KUTRRH
Dagane reiterated his commitment to elevating KUTRRH to international standards. The hospital is currently pursuing the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation, a benchmark limited to a few private hospitals in the region.
“We are ensuring that no Kenyan travels abroad for healthcare. They can come here because we have the talent and expertise,” Dagane said.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Dagane remains focused on his vision for KUTRRH as a center of excellence. With his first term as CEO set to expire in July 2025, and the final term of the board chair ending in March 2025, the coming months will be pivotal in determining the hospital’s leadership and future direction.
This incident highlights broader issues of governance, accountability, and the delicate balance of power in public institutions, setting the stage for ongoing scrutiny in Kenya’s healthcare sector.
