You can't own KU Hospital, MPs tell university

MPs have ruled out Kenyatta University ever owning the neighbouring KU Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health said the university can only enter into a collaboration with KUTRRH.

KU vice chancellor will seek official partnership with KUTRRH, which is led by Prof Olive Mugenda, for the training of students taking medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and public health.

“To revert KUTRRH to Kenyatta University, it would therefore be mandatory to revoke the legal notice No 4 of 2019 governing its establishment. Which will not be possible, university must leave with the fact that KUTRRH is a state department under the Ministry of Health, therefore, oversighted by this committee,” said committee chairman Robert Pukose, also Endebess MP.

He spoke when the committee visited the university on Tuesday.

Prof Paul Wainaina, who is due for retirement as VC soon, had made it his ambition to end KUTRRH independence.

He was briefly ousted as VC in 2022, following a clash with President Uhuru Kenyatta before the courts reinstated him.

 Pukose said the two institutions must stop fighting and work together.

“It is the health committee that appropriates money to KUTRRH while our sister committee on education oversights and appropriates funds to Kenyatta University, so the feuding must stop and everyone must respect his space,” he said.

Before 2023, KU medical and health sciences students were never allowed to train inside KUTRRH but this restriction was ended mid last year.

The committee visit on Tuesday aimed to evaluate the hospital's infrastructure, technology, expertise and patient care practices in managing cancer.

“The committee has observed with great pleasure that the hospital boasts of modern infrastructure and facilities tailored to cancer treatment and diagnosis. This includes advanced imaging equipment, radiation therapy facilities and specialised oncology units,” Pukose said.

“We want you to remain in realm of cancer treatment and diagnosis, because you are recognised as a specialised hospital at level 6, many Kenyans now depending on you and we don’t want you veer off from that trajectory.” 

Committee vice chairperson and Chuka/Igambang'ombe MP Patrick Munene praised the hospital management for its cancer services.

“We are happy that the hospital has assembled a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals specialising in oncology, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, pathologists and supportive care specialists. This expertise ensures patients receive personalised and evidence-based care tailored to their specific needs,” he said.

Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron urged hospital management to invest more on research and clinical trials, collaborative research initiatives, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to enhance cancer treatment outcomes and advance medical knowledge.

Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge-Rotich acknowledged efforts by the hospital to enhance accessibility and affordability of cancer care services.

“Initiatives such as subsidised treatment programmes, partnerships with insurance providers and community outreach programmes aim to mitigate financial barriers and ensure equitable access to quality cancer care are great gestures,” she said.

Prof Mugenda, the chairperson of the board of KUTRRH, assured the committee the hospital management is committed to its mandate of providing exceptional healthcare services, advancing medical research and promoting community health and wellness.

Despite the hospital's commendable efforts, the team identified challenges such as limited resources, workforce shortages and infrastructure constraints.

Recommendations were made to address these challenges, including increased government funding, capacity building initiatives and strategic partnerships with academic institutions and international organisations.