Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has ordered immediate reforms across national referral hospitals following a recent security breach at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and other management failures.
Speaking on Monday at Afya House during a meeting with hospital CEOs, CS Duale described the incidents as deep-rooted failures in governance, security, and leadership that have shaken public trust in the country’s top medical institutions.
“The recent events at KNH and other hospitals are unacceptable,” said Duale. “These are not just isolated incidents—they reveal a systemic breakdown that must be urgently addressed.”
The CS directed hospital heads to take full responsibility for security, discipline, and operational integrity in their institutions.
He called for immediate internal reviews of emergency preparedness, staff conduct, and patient safety protocols. Each CEO has been instructed to submit a detailed audit report to the Ministry within seven days.
Duale expressed concern over growing public dissatisfaction and reports of staff misconduct in referral hospitals, urging leadership to restore discipline and maintain high professional standards.
He also advised hospitals to update their crisis communication plans to ensure timely and empathetic responses to emergencies.
The Ministry of Health will now partner with the Ministry of Interior to tighten coordination with local law enforcement, though Duale stressed that hospital management must take the lead in strengthening security.
“This is a critical moment. Let us make our hospitals not just centres of excellence, but symbols of safety, service, and public trust,” he said.
The directive follows a tragic incident at Kenyatta National Hospital, where a 52-year-old male patient was found murdered in Ward Seven.
Witnesses say the man, who was living with a disability, was fatally stabbed by an unknown assailant who entered the ward with a kitchen knife. The main suspect has since been arrested and is in police custody.
The KNH case is the latest in a series of worrying security lapses.
Earlier this month, intruders stormed Kitengela Hospital during the Saba Saba protests, raising further concerns about staff and patient safety in public health facilities.
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