Former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura resigned as Chairman of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) Board Tuesday in a surprise move.
This was barely eight months after his appointment, citing political and personal conflict.
Gitura revealed in a statement that his decision was influenced by political considerations, noting that he has never supported the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government and continues to oppose its policies.
The former senator, who is a former deputy speaker of the senate and was gazetted as chair on December 20, 2024, acknowledged that holding the position made it difficult for him to freely criticize government policies, especially on governance and corruption.
“When I accepted this role, many of my friends and political supporters questioned whether I had shifted my allegiance to UDA. I explained that this was not a political appointment, but optics matter. People still linked me to the government,” he said.
“For the record, I do not support UDA government policies on virtually all fronts. I do not want to mislead anyone by my actions, words, or deeds. In 2027, every vote will count, and I want my political stand to be clear.”
Gitura, who vied in 2022 on a Jubilee ticket, explained that his resignation was not due to any shortcomings at KUTRRH, which he praised as a successful institution that has reduced the need for Kenyans to seek treatment abroad.
The former Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) Chairperson noted that his decision was based on the beliefs attached to a politician from the public who would question why he took a political appointment from a government he doesn’t believe in.
“I have resigned due to the personal conflicts I have mentioned above. True, I may be doing a good job at helping make positive change at the hospital like I know so many other people are doing in various other national institutions,” Gitura pointed out.
“But I am a politician, and the question is, what do all the people who would otherwise listen to my viewpoint think of my having taken a political appointment from a government I do not support or for that matter, believe in?
“What do they think of me when I do not speak out loudly as I have always been known to do on the very many issues confronting us amongst them the rampant corruption now afflicting our nation like a ravaging cancer?”
He reiterated his belief in honest politics and national unity, warning against tribalism and corruption.
“I want to be on the correct side of history when the penultimate chapter on our nationhood is written,” he stated.
This comes amid reports more politicians in the Kenya Kwanza government plan to resign over politics.
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