The government has appointed Dr Richard Lesiyampe Leserian as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the country’s largest public referral and teaching hospital. The announcement was made through a statement by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who described Dr Lesiyampe as a seasoned healthcare administrator with the expertise required to guide KNH through ongoing reforms.
“Dr Richard Lesiyampe brings vast experience to strengthen KNH’s governance, clinical, and administrative systems,” Duale stated. “As the apex national referral facility, Kenyatta National Hospital plays a critical role in advancing health sector reforms and achieving Universal Health Coverage.”
Before this appointment, Dr Lesiyampe served as acting CEO at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), where he was instrumental in elevating the hospital’s profile and operational capacity. His leadership at JOOTRH has been credited with improving governance, service delivery, and overall institutional efficiency.
Following this transition, Joshua Clinton Ombiri Okise has been appointed as acting CEO of JOOTRH. Duale highlighted that Okise will oversee a smooth leadership handover and support the continued development of the hospital, which recently attained Level 6 status.
Established in 1901, KNH has grown into one of East and Central Africa’s most significant healthcare institutions. The hospital has a bed capacity of 1,800, including a 209-bed private wing, 50 wards, 22 outpatient clinics, and 24 surgical theaters. KNH employs over 6,000 staff and provides specialized services such as cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and burns management.
In addition to its clinical services, KNH serves as a critical hub for medical training and research, contributing significantly to Kenya’s broader goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage under the government’s health transformation agenda.
Dr Lesiyampe’s appointment is expected to further enhance operational efficiency, strengthen clinical service delivery, and align the institution’s management with national health priorities. Other key referral hospitals in Kenya include Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, and the National Spinal Injury Referral Hospital.
With this leadership change, the government aims to reinforce KNH’s position as a cornerstone of Kenya’s healthcare system, ensuring that it continues to deliver high-quality services to patients nationwide.
