This archive report was first published on 14 October 2019.
On October 14, 2019, a dispute over the management of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital landed in court.
Activist Okiya Omtatah filed a case seeking to stop the hospital's official launch as a State parastatal, arguing that the move would be contrary to the law.
The hospital, valued at Sh8 billion, was constructed using government loans and has largely remained under the management of the university.
Mr Omtatah argues that the hospital's status as a referral and research hospital under the university makes it unlawful to take it away from the university's management.
He further states that a legal notice issued in January 2019, directing that the facility be a separate State corporation or parastatal, is unlawful.
According to Mr Omtatah, individuals who may resign from other places of work to take appointments at the hospital will suffer irreversible damage should the case succeed.
He also fears that the board and management of the hospital may enter into contractual agreements that will remain binding even if the case succeeds.
“From the Constitution, the Universities Act 2012 and Kenyatta University’ Charter, Statutes and Strategic plan, the hospital is an integral part of the varsity hence legal notice No. 2 of January 22, 2019, which purports to establish it as separate State corporation or parastatal is a nullity in law,” the activist says.
