Wednesday, 18 June, 2025
National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture grills KNH over dual CEO confusion
Bunge Towers, Parliament buildings, Tuesday 17th June 2025
The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture has raised serious concerns over leadership confusion at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The committee, chaired by Navakholo constituency MP Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe, was left puzzled after the hospital’s CEO, Dr. Evanson N. Kamuri, failed to appear for the second time.
In his place, Dr. William Sigilai showed up before the committee, introducing himself as the de facto CEO. This did not sit well with members who questioned how two individuals could hold the same high-ranking position concurrently.
“Why are you having two CEOs yet there is a substantive CEO who is the accounting officer and to whom we had invited here?” Hon. Wangwe questioned during the session.
Dr. Sigilai explained that he was appointed to act by the hospital’s Board of Management since Dr. Kamuri was on leave. “The letter from the board of management was issued to me since the CEO is on leave, and that office cannot be left vacant,” he said.
However, the explanation did not satisfy the committee members. They demanded to see not just the appointment letter but also the board’s minutes confirming the meeting that led to the decision. This, they argued, was necessary to validate the authority of Dr. Sigilai’s role.
MPs voiced discomfort with the idea of both Dr. Kamuri and Dr. Sigilai being regarded as accounting officers simultaneously. They noted that such a situation could lead to confusion and accountability issues at the institution.
As the grilling continued, the committee chair became visibly frustrated with the lack of clarity. He emphasized that it was the second time the hospital had failed to present the appropriate official for the session.
“We cannot continue with this meeting having the wrong person. This is the second invite, and in the third, it will be termed as a sermon to you, the management,” Hon. Wangwe warned, signalling stricter action ahead.
The committee now expects full documentation, including official minutes from the KNH Board, to justify Dr. Sigilai’s appointment. This unfolding drama brings into sharp focus the issue of leadership stability at one of Kenya’s most critical national health facilities.