The Kenyatta University Teaching, Research, and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) management found itself in a tight spot for allowing an ‘unqualified’ person to run the facility,  considering the provisions of the law.

KUTTRH Management Board Chairperson Prof Olive Mugenda told Members of Parliament that the CEO of the hospital, Ahmed Dagane, is a nurse and has a master’s degree in Business Administration.

“We followed a judgment by the court that said the CEO should be a health professional.The other members of health professional went to court and the court gave that order,” he said.

The CEO is not a doctor,the law says the CEO must be a doctor but the law was challenged in court,” Mugenda said.

Jack Wamboka, chair of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education of the National Assembly, questioned why Ahmed Dagane, the hospital's CEO, is not a doctor despite the fact that the legislation specifies the qualifications for the CEO position of level 6 health facilities.

“The CEO is not a doctor but a nurse. What does the law say about the qualifications of CEOs of public facilities such as Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital?” Wamboka asked.

On his part, Attorney General Justin Muturi, said the requirement is that the CEO be a medical doctor and the law has not been changed on the provisions.

“I am not privy to the court order, but of course the law has not been changed on the requirement of a CEO,” said Muturi.

Dagane was appointed the CEO of Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital in July 2022 with 22 years of experience in health management.