No, thank you: Ex-Senator Kembi Gitura quits top hospital role

Former Murang'a Senator Kembi Gitura. [File, Standard] Former Murang'a Senator Kembi Gitura has resigned as Chairman of the Board at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), barely eight months after his appointment. In a statement on Tuesday, August 26, Gitura cited political and personal conflict as the reason for stepping down. This comes even as the Social Health Authority (SHA) faces scrutiny over healthcare funding. The authority has suspended 45 health facilities across 18 counties from accessing benefits. Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi announced the suspensions in a notice on Tuesday, saying the affected facilities will not receive any benefits during the suspension period. The ministry had earlier suspended 40 other facilities and confirmed that Sh 7.7 billion has been disbursed to Primary Health Care (PHC) as part of government reforms. Several hospitals, including Ladnan Hospital, have been flagged for receiving unusually high payments, raising concerns over transparency and governance. The former senator, who was gazetted as chair on December 20, 2024, said holding the position made it difficult to freely criticise government policies, particularly on governance and corruption. "When I accepted this role, many of my friends and political supporters questioned whether I had shifted my allegiance to UDA. I explained that this was not a political appointment, but optics matter. People still linked me to the government," Gitura noted. He said his resignation was influenced by his political stance against the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government. "I do not support UDA government policies on virtually all fronts. I do not want to mislead anyone by my actions, words, or deeds. In 2027, every vote will count, and I want my political stand to be clear," he said. The former senator praised KUTRRH as a successful institution that has reduced the need for Kenyans to seek treatment abroad. "I have resigned due to the personal conflicts I have mentioned. True, I may be doing a good job at helping make positive change at the hospital, but I am a politician," he said. Gitura emphasised his commitment to honest politics and national unity. "What do people think of me when I do not speak out loudly as I have always been known to do on the very many issues confronting us, including the rampant corruption now afflicting our nation like a ravaging cancer?" he asked. Amid his resignation, public scrutiny of SHA payments has intensified. Ladnan Hospital reportedly received Sh195 million since October last year despite being classified as a Level 3 outpatient facility. Other hospitals flagged include Jumia Hospital Huruma, Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. Experts and healthcare associations have questioned the transparency of these payments. "I want to be on the correct side of history when the penultimate chapter on our nationhood is written," Gitura said, underscoring the principle that national institutions should not be politicised. KUTRRH opened in 2019 and has become a hospital of choice for patients in Kenya and the region. Gitura served alongside board members he described as "extremely devoted and selfless."

No, thank you: Ex-Senator Kembi Gitura quits top hospital role

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No, thank you: Ex-Senator Kembi Gitura quits top hospital role

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