Former Senator Kembi Gitura./FILE
Former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura has resigned from the board of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH).
His exit from KUTRRH marks the end of his tenure and a period of service marked by oversight roles in the governance of the institution.
Details surrounding the resignation remain limited. As of Tuesday, the Ministry of Health had not issued a formal statement on Gitura’s resignation or who would replace him on the board.
Gitura, a lawyer by profession, has had a long career in public service and politics. He took up the role on December 19, 2024, for a three-year term.
He was elected Murang’a County’s first senator in 2013 under the Jubilee Party, where he served until 2017.
Gitura served as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly and the Senate, where he was Deputy Speaker in the Eleventh Parliament.
In the 2017 General Election, he unsuccessfully contested the Murang’a gubernatorial seat.
Beyond elective politics, Gitura has also held various senior appointments in public administration.
Gitura has previously served in several public offices, including as the chairperson of the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
He has also served as the Kenyan Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Duchy of Luxembourg, and the European Union.
Gitura joined the board of KUTRRH as part of government efforts to strengthen leadership in key health institutions.
His nomination to chair the KUTRRH board was announced by President Ruto in late 2024, and he officially assumed office in December 2024.
KUTRRH, the 650-bed facility, has become one of the country’s leading referral hospitals, providing specialized care, medical training, and advanced research.
Its board is tasked with steering policy direction and ensuring the hospital meets its mandate as a top-tier national referral and teaching institution.
KUTRRH, located along the Northern Bypass in Kiambu County, was established to provide specialised health services and serve as a teaching and research facility.
It plays a significant role in training health professionals, advancing medical research, and reducing the pressure on Kenyatta National Hospital, the country’s oldest referral institution.
