“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7(3) of the State Corporations Act, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces appoint George Opondo Ooko to be the chairperson of Kenyatta National Hospital Board, up to May 2, 2022 with effect from April 21, 2020,” said the notice
Former Rarieda MP Eng. Nicholas Gumbo is said to be pressing relevant buttons and reaching out to the who is who in President William Ruto’s inner circle to lobby for his reappointment to chair the Kenyatta National Hospital Board which he lost under peculiar circumstances.
Sources well versed with the happenings within the corridors of power revealed that Gumbo who unsuccessfully contested for the Siaya gubernatorial race had initially hoped to be appointed to the cabinet but failed. He was later to defect from Azimio Coalition to Kenya Kwanza.
Gumbo was appointed KNH board chair by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta in May 2019 for a 3-year contract. However, in May 2020, through a special gazette notice, Mr Kenyatta revoked his appointment and replaced him with George Ooko. Mr Ooko’s contract came to an end in May 2022 but Uhuru extended his contract for another three years, with effect from the 27th of May 2022.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7(3) of the State Corporations Act, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces appoint George Opondo Ooko to be the chairperson of Kenyatta National Hospital Board, up to May 2, 2022 with effect from April 21, 2020,” said the notice.
Gumbo is said to be pushing for the revocation of Mr Ooko’s contract, just the same way Uhuru revoked his under mysterious circumstances. Sources however divulged that Gumbo’s contract was revoked after he allegedly fell out with ODM leader Raila Odinga over what insiders say was his refusal to support James Orengo’s gubernatorial bid.
His appointment to chair the board was a result of the handshake between Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta. Should he succeed in lobbying for the lucrative position, then he is likely to have the last laugh against Raila Odinga who during the last general elections campaigned against him for the Siaya gubernatorial seat.
