Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has made major leadership changes at two of Kenya’s top referral hospitals Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
In a statement on Monday, Duale named Richard Lesiyampe Leserian as the acting Chief Executive Officer of KNH.
Lesiyampe, who until now was serving as acting CEO of JOOTRH, is expected to bring his long experience in the health sector to strengthen governance, clinical operations, and administrative systems at the country’s largest referral facility.
“Lesiyampe brings vast experience that will be critical in aligning KNH’s systems with the ongoing reforms in the health sector,” Duale said.
To replace him in Kisumu, Duale appointed Joshua Clinton Ombiri Okise as acting CEO of JOOTRH. Ombiri will oversee the hospital’s transition following its recent elevation to Level 6 status.
“These appointments are part of reforms that support the government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda,” the CS noted.
The changes come just weeks after President William Ruto named former Kenya Red Cross boss Abbas Gullet as the non-executive chairperson of the KNH board, a three-year appointment announced in a gazette notice dated July 26.
Gullet’s appointment, alongside Monday’s shake-up in hospital leadership, signals a new chapter for KNH and JOOTRH as the government pushes for reforms to strengthen service delivery in the health sector.