Richard Lesiyampe: Profile of New KNH Acting CEO Appointed by Aden Duale
- Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale named Richard Lesiyampe the new acting chief executive officer of the Kenyatta National Hospital
- The new Kenyatta National Hospital boss previously worked at another national referral hospital before his appointment
- Lesiyampe has an extensive career in the public service, having worked as a district officer after his graduation
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A few decades ago, Richard Lesiyampe was born in Samburu county, and his parents' only intention was to raise him to be a herdsman like many Samburu boys.
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But around the same time, the government sent out a call to ensure that every child went to school, and they worked closely with the chiefs and village elders to enforce the directive.
Because he was not as good as his peers at caring for the family's cattle, the Daily Nation reported that the former Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment ended up attending school.
His community at the time, he revealed, viewed schools as a place to "discard" those who were not competent at caring for livestock.
Where did Lesiyampe study?
Lesiyampe attended a local primary school before enrolling in a nearby secondary school. He completed his Form Six at Kabarnet High School.
He disclosed that he initially intended to take a law degree at the University of Nairobi (UoN), but after missing the cutoff points, he ended up pursuing a political science course.
He was assigned to Kabartonjo, Baringo County, as a district officer (DO) after graduating.
Lesiyampe has worked for several government parastatals over the years.
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Who appointed Lesiyampe JOOTRH CEO?
Before it was upgraded to level six, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) was a level five facility, and Lesiyampe said he never imagined he would eventually serve as its CEO or medical superintendent.
He had run unsuccessfully for the governor's office in Samburu shortly before being appointed to JOOTRH by Kisumu governor Anyang Nyong'o.
He recalled receiving Nyong'o's call after he lost his gubernatorial bid
"We discussed a variety of topics, such as how we collaborated to enhance service delivery at KNH while he was the Health Minister. He thought I was the one who could make the health institution better. But I informed him that I already had plans to return to politics. However, he persuaded me, and we got to work," he narrated.
He revealed that he steered the institution from making KSh 30 million to KSh 150 million monthly.
In the last year, the national referral facility employed 140 more workers, including 10 doctors, 60 nurses and other medical officers.
How did Lesiyampe land KNH job?
On Monday, August 18, Health CS Aden Duale appointed Lesiyampe as the KNH acting chief executive officer.
Duale Lesiyampe stated that the new CEO will provide a wealth of experience in clinical management, hospital administration, and healthcare governance.
Lesiyampe is not new to KNH, though. Before he was appointed Agriculture PS, he was the CEO of the hospital.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
