CS Aden Duale Orders Urgent Reforms in Referral Hospitals After Kenyatta National Incident
The CS pointed to a string of concerning incidents, including the widely reported security breach at KNH, where unauthorized individuals reportedly gained access to restricted areas, compromising patient and staff safety.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a stern directive to the leadership of Kenya’s national referral hospitals, demanding urgent reforms following a recent security breach at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and other signs of deteriorating institutional management. Photo/Ministry of Health.
By Robert Assad
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a stern directive to the leadership of Kenya’s national referral hospitals, demanding urgent reforms following a recent security breach at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and other signs of deteriorating institutional management.
Speaking during a high-level meeting with CEOs of national hospitals at Afya House on Monday, Duale characterized the failures as “systemic,” warning that they have severely undermined public confidence in the country’s largest health institutions.
“This is a critical moment,” said Duale. “Let us make our hospitals not just centres of excellence, but symbols of safety, service, and public trust.”
Systemic Lapses Prompt Call for Overhaul
The CS pointed to a string of concerning incidents, including the widely reported security breach at KNH, where unauthorized individuals reportedly gained access to restricted areas, compromising patient and staff safety. In June 2025, similar concerns had been raised about lax security protocols and administrative dysfunction at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu.
“Hospital CEOs must be personally accountable for safety, discipline, and operational integrity,” Duale emphasized. He ordered immediate internal reviews of security arrangements, emergency preparedness, patient protection procedures, and staff conduct, with comprehensive audit reports expected within seven days.
Emphasis on Leadership and Communication
Beyond operational concerns, Duale underscored the need for visible leadership and proactive crisis management. “Trust must be earned,” he said, urging CEOs to update their crisis communication strategies to ensure clear, empathetic, and timely public engagement during emergencies.
Recent data from the Ministry of Health indicates a sharp decline in patient satisfaction levels across national referral facilities, with the Kenya Health Sector Strategic Plan (KHSSP) 2023–2028 identifying weak governance and accountability as key challenges to service delivery.
Crackdown on Staff Misconduct
CS Duale also addressed issues of professional discipline, citing increased reports of negligence, absenteeism, and unprofessional behavior among hospital staff. According to a 2024 report by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), over 120 disciplinary cases were filed against medical personnel in referral hospitals alone—an increase of 38% from the previous year.
“To restore public confidence, we must set a new standard for professionalism and ethics,” Duale said.
Strengthened Security Partnerships
The Ministry of Health will now collaborate with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to reinforce security within health facilities. County police commanders and local security agencies will be integrated into new safety protocols to support hospital administrations.
However, Duale was clear that the responsibility for change lies within the institutions themselves. “Hospital leadership must not wait for a crisis to act,” he said. “They must anticipate, prepare, and respond effectively.”
Broader Reform Agenda Underway
This intervention aligns with the government’s broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reform agenda, which includes the reorganization of health governance under the Social Health Authority (SHA), set to be rolled out later this year under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.
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