The government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to all national referral hospitals to submit comprehensive security and operational audit reports following recent incidents that exposed critical vulnerabilities in the public health sector.
The directive was announced on Monday by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during a high-level consultative meeting with chief executive officers of national referral hospitals. The move comes in the wake of reported security breaches at Kenyatta National Hospital and other emerging operational challenges affecting service delivery across major health institutions.
“The audit reports must outline existing security and operational gaps, actions already taken, and urgent measures required to address the situation,” CS Duale said. He emphasized the need for urgent reforms to rebuild public trust and restore efficiency in the healthcare system.
Duale further directed hospitals to develop or update crisis communication plans to ensure timely and transparent responses during emergencies, warning that failures in communication can exacerbate crises and erode public confidence.
To bolster hospital security, Duale announced plans to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Interior to improve coordination between referral hospitals and local law enforcement agencies. The Health CS also called for stricter enforcement of staff discipline and enhancement of institutional culture, citing growing public concern over the quality of patient care and professionalism in some facilities.
“Hospital leadership bears a non-delegable responsibility to safeguard patients and staff while ensuring smooth, accountable operations,” Duale said, underscoring the personal responsibility of CEOs in maintaining safety and effective management within their institutions.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and CEOs from leading referral hospitals across the country.
While reiterating the Ministry’s commitment to supporting health institutions, Duale stressed that such support must be reciprocated with accountability and measurable improvements. “Leadership at the facility level must actively drive these partnerships,” he said. “Progress must be clear, measurable, and aligned with national health objectives.”
The Ministry is expected to review the audit reports within the coming week to determine further actions needed to strengthen Kenya’s public health infrastructure and protect the welfare of both patients and healthcare workers.
Written By Rodney Mbua
