Dr. Zeinab Gura has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), following the resignation of Professor Olive Mugenda and the disbandment of the hospital’s board. The announcement was made on Tuesday by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, confirming that Dr. Gura’s appointment was immediate.
Dr. Gura, formerly the Deputy Director General for Health at the Ministry of Health, steps into the leadership role during a time of significant reform at KUTRRH. The hospital has faced operational challenges, including a recent strike by medical staff protesting working conditions. With her vast experience in public health management, Dr. Gura is expected to bring the much-needed stability and direction to the hospital.
Her appointment is part of a broader trend under President William Ruto’s leadership, who has appointed numerous leaders and professionals from regions such as Marsabit, Isiolo, and Tana River. These appointments reflect the President’s commitment to ensuring equitable representation and empowering individuals from historically underserved regions to contribute to the country’s development.
As Acting CEO of KUTRRH, Dr. Gura assumes leadership at a critical juncture as Kenya rolls out the Social Health Authority (SHA), an initiative aimed at advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC). SHA is designed to streamline healthcare delivery, setting quality standards across the public and private healthcare sectors. Dr. Gura’s background in healthcare digitization and her prior work with the Ministry of Health on health systems reforms uniquely position her to lead the SHA rollout at KUTRRH.
In addition to managing the SHA transition, Dr. Gura faces the task of addressing staff grievances at KUTRRH, including claims of sexual harassment, long working hours, and poor working conditions. Her previous experience in engaging with healthcare professionals and stakeholders will be key in resolving these issues and rebuilding trust within the institution.
Dr. Gura’s leadership will be pivotal in improving the hospital’s operations and patient care. Her work in the Ministry of Health involved collaborating with county governments to tackle healthcare challenges, and she is expected to leverage this experience to enhance the hospital’s relationships with stakeholders. Under her guidance, KUTRRH is set to align more closely with national healthcare objectives while addressing the immediate concerns of the hospital staff.
Her appointment also signals continued leadership development in Kenya, especially from regions like Marsabit, Isiolo, and Tana River. As the country embarks on healthcare reforms, Dr. Gura’s leadership at KUTRRH is seen as a step toward revitalizing not just the hospital, but the healthcare system at large.
Ultimately, Dr. Zeinab Gura’s appointment as Acting CEO of KUTRRH marks a new chapter in the hospital’s history. With her expertise, leadership, and the support of the government’s broader healthcare reforms, she is expected to guide KUTRRH through its current challenges and contribute significantly to Kenya’s healthcare transformation.