The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has levelled serious accusations against Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) Chairperson, Professor Olive Mugenda. They claim her leadership has fostered a toxic work environment and abused the office, leading to a breakdown in hospital operations and staff welfare.
Addressing the media in Mombasa, Union General Secretary Seth Panyako demanded Prof. Mugenda’s immediate removal and the disbandment of the KUTRRH Management Board. He issued a seven-day ultimatum, threatening a hospital-wide strike if no action was taken. Panyako extended the warning to a potential nationwide nurses’ strike across all 47 counties, citing the Ministry of Health’s failure to release Ksh 11 billion for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff.
Key grievances: Ksh 6.8 billion allocated for UHC staff gratuity payments remains withheld.
Ministry-employed UHC staff have been absorbed, while county-employed counterparts remain on temporary contracts. “Enough is enough,” declared Panyako, calling for the immediate release of funds to permanently employ UHC staff in county governments.
- A Toxic Workplace at KUTRRH: Panyako painted a grim picture of working conditions at KUTRRH.
- Medical cover cancelled: Over 2,000 staff members and their families are without medical insurance.
- Unpaid allowances: Nurses at the facility are owed years of uniform allowances.
- Mass resignations: More than 120 nurses have resigned in the past three years, citing oppressive conditions.
He accused Mugenda of fostering a culture of intimidation, favouritism, and micro-management, adding that staff were coerced into complying with illegal directives to retain their jobs.
Allegations of Mismanagement
Panyako further accused Prof. Mugenda of meddling in critical operations, including Procurement and recruitment: Allegedly handpicking unqualified individuals for management roles. CEO interference: Three CEOs have left the hospital in the past three years due to conflicts with her.
“The current CEO, recognized as one of the best, is now under attack. Her directive to send the CEO on compulsory leave must be revoked to ensure the hospital operates independently,” said Panyako. KNUNM has formally notified government officials of their intent to strike if grievances are not addressed swiftly. “We cannot allow one individual to bring down a public institution. The government must act before the situation spirals further out of control,” Panyako warned.
The accusations have sparked widespread concern, with the union insisting that bold steps are necessary to protect the hospital’s integrity and its employees’ welfare.
