"Everything was going on well with Kenyatta University management running the hospital until a letter came in from the office of the Head of Public Service in 2019 informing the university that the hospital was now a parastatal and asked the administration to hand over," said Wainaina.
The VC argued that the university had developed a business plan to run facility, and that having it reverted back to them would not affect the current management structure.
"We wanted our medical students to be allowed unfettered access to the facility so that they can practice and get the necessary experience in their very own facility that has been taken away from them and they are now being treated like strangers in their very own compound," he said.
However, Mugenda told the committee that the facility was unutilised for three years before she took over.
"I was the vice chancellor of Kenyatta University when the building of this hospital was conceptualised and started. I would also like to tell this committee that I have nothing personal against Prof Wainaina who served as my deputy. I would like to see our two institutions relating in a harmonious manner," she said.
The committee also took issue with the qualifications of the hospital CEO, saying he was not a medical doctor. But the board said Ahmed Dagane had a master's degree in Business Administration and a bachelor's degree in Nursing, and was sufficiently qualified.
And speaking in Mombasa on Friday, Mugenda welcomed Muturi's legal advice. She said the AG's pronouncement would enhance the working relationship between the two institutions.
Mugenda said the hospital was ready for the first cohort of 100 Kenya University School of Medicine students.