Workers Assured of Job Security as JOOTRH Transitions to National Government
Ntabo also the Ministry’s Secretary of Administration, noted that they are resolving key matters such as payroll, assets, liabilities, and pending bills but above all, staff welfare is central.
Immediate Former JOORTH CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, hands over to new acting CEO Joshua Clinton Okise at the facility. Faith Matete
No staff member will lose their job as upgraded Jaramogi Oginga
Odinga Hospital is transferred from Kisumu county to national government
control, the transition team has said.
Staff have been concerned about their future at Jaramogi Oginga
Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTHR), now elevated to a Level 6A
facility under national government administration.
The team overseeing the six-month-long transfer has sought to calm
the anxious staff concerned about possible job losses in the new
set-up
James Ntabo, who chairs the JOOTRH technical transition committee,
assured workers that no jobs would be lost in the process. He spoke during
a transition meeting.
The team—constituted by the Ministry of Health after the
hospital’s upgrade—is committed to ensuring a smooth and transparent handover,
he said.
Ntabo, who is the Health ministry’s secretary of administration,
said the team is resolving key matters and that staff welfare is central. It is
also resolving issues around payroll, assets, liabilities and pending bills.
He said county and national representatives were working together
to safeguard service delivery during the transition.
The committee includes specialists in finance, human resources and
planning and the entire transition is expected to take six months.
Acknowledging staff anxiety, Ntabo emphasised that every decision
would be made with transparency and urged workers, local leaders, county
officials and the media to support the process.
He said the hospital’s new status as a national facility comes
with greater responsibilities and wider visibility.
The transfer coincides with the departure of Dr Richard Lesiyampe,
who has been JOOTRH’s acting chief executive officer for the past 18 months.
Dr Lesiyampe is now acting CEO of Kenyatta National Hospital.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dr Lesiyampe thanked both the hospital
staff and the Ministry of Health for their support, saying they have
transformed lives and provided relief to many patients.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and I leave JOOTRH in
safe hands,” he said.
Endorsing Joshua Clinton Okise as his successor and acting CEO, he
expressed confidence in his leadership, saying they have worked closely and
mentored him.
“I am certain he will offer stable leadership during this
transition,” Dr Lesiyampe said.
Acting CEO Okise pledged to sustain the hospital’s momentum while
prioritising staff and patient welfare.
He said he will focus on three areas: maintaining strong clinical
outcomes, ensuring the staff experience a smooth transition and advancing
Universal Health Coverage in the region.
As the largest referral facility in Western Kenya and parts of the
Rift Valley, JOOTRH’s elevation to Level 6 status is expected to boost
specialised medical services, research opportunities, training and
infrastructure development.
