Aden Duale Appoints KNH, JOOTRH CEOs in Latest Leadership Reforms
- CS Aden Duale appointed KNH's acting CEO, with extensive experience to strengthen healthcare, governance, and national health reforms
- The newly appointed CEO made remarkable transformations at various hospitals he had previously served in, despite venturing into politics at some stage
- Duale also announced an acting CEO for JOOTRH and explained his responsibilities following the hospital's elevation to Level 6
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
The government has appointed new acting chief executive officers for two of the country’s top hospitals, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
Source: Facebook
This is part of its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery nationwide.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the appointments in a statement on Monday, August 18.
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Who are the new acting KNH, JOOTRH CEOs?
In a recent leadership transition, Duale appointed Dr. Richard Lesiyampe Leserian to act as CEO of KNH, the country’s premier national referral hospital.
He praised Lesiyampe, who previously served as Acting CEO of JOOTRH, saying his appointment will bring extensive experience in healthcare governance, clinical management, and hospital administration.
"Lesiyampe brings vast experience to strengthen KNH’s governance, clinical, and administrative systems in line with ongoing reforms," he said.
However, this is not Lesiyampe’s first tenure at KNH.
He previously served at the hospital as CEO before being appointed as Principal Secretary for Agriculture and later as head of JOOTRH, where he oversaw the hospital’s elevation to a Level 6 facility and led transformative improvements in health service delivery.
Notably, Lesiyampe had also ventured into politics, contesting for the gubernatorial seat in Samburu county.
Source: UGC
How many patients can KNH accommodate?
Beyond patient care, KNH is a major hub for medical training and research, playing a central role in the government’s plan to expand Universal Health Coverage.
It employs over 6,000 staff and offers specialised services such as cardiothoracic surgery, burns management, neurosurgery, and orthopaedics.
The hospital boasts a capacity of 1,800 beds, including a 209-bed private wing, 22 outpatient clinics, 50 wards, and 24 surgical theatres.
Under Lesiyampe’s leadership, KNH is expected to improve operational efficiency, strengthen specialised care, and align its services with national health priorities.
Following this transition, Duale noted that Joshua Clinton Ombiri Okise was appointed to act as CEO of JOOTRH.
"He will oversee a smooth leadership transition and support JOOTRH's continued growth following its recent elevation to Level 6 status," the statement read.
Source: Facebook
Were 2 patients killed at KNH?
In other news, Kenyans were shocked to learn of the murder of two patients at the KNH male wards, both killed in a similar pattern five months apart.
Gilbert Kinyua and Edward Ndegwa were each found lying in pools of blood on blood-stained bedding—Kinyua in February 2025 and Ndegwa in July 2025.
Ndegwa, who had been admitted for six days, was killed just a day before his scheduled discharge, while Kinyua had been undergoing treatment for weeks.
A suspect linked to both murders was arrested and detained, with reports indicating that he suffers from health complications.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
