Bolstering its administrative and strategic capabilities, the senior heads of departments at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) are set to undertake the prestigious Senior Management Course (SMC) offered by the Kenya School of Government (KSG).

This development follows a successful engagement yesterday between the JOOTRH Ag CEO, Dr. Clinton Joshua Okise, and Dr. Ng’ang’a, a director at KSG. The discussion focused on a collaborative approach to provide the leadership training to the facility’s senior managers at a substantially reduced cost.

The two leaders reached an agreement to launch the training for the first cohort of 30 staff members on November 3, 2025, with KSG instructors offering the training within the hospital facility itself. This initiative underscores JOOTRH’s commitment to building a highly competent and strategically focused management team.

The timing of this Senior Management Course is critical, coinciding with JOOTRH’s elevation to a Level 6 National Referral Hospital. This transition is a step, placing the facility alongside elite national institutions like Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and the SMC will be instrumental for several reasons:

Enhanced Strategic Leadership and Governance: As a Level 6 facility, JOOTRH will operate with greater autonomy and a need for robust, strategic governance. The SMC typically focuses on equipping managers with skills in strategic planning, policy formulation, and change management.

This will enable the department heads to align their operations with the national health agenda and manage the complexities of a major referral institution.

Fiscal Responsibility and Resource Mobilization: The new Level 6 status allows JOOTRH to directly access increased funding from the National Assembly and generate income through lawful sources (grants, donations, performance-based earnings). The SMC will train managers in prudent financial management, resource accountability, and effective project monitoring and evaluation, crucial for managing a multi-billion-shilling budget and attracting external funding.

The training in the SMC will help department heads master operational management, process re-engineering, and human resource management. This proficiency is vital for ensuring that the expanded facility and its specialized services (like advanced surgery, trauma care, and diagnostics) run efficiently to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.

Instilling a Public Service Ethos and Accountability: Since the hospital is transitioning from county-managed to a national parastatal, there is a renewed emphasis on public service values, integrity, and accountability. The SMC, being a flagship course of the Kenya School of Government, heavily instills a focus on ethical leadership, corporate governance, and accountability mechanisms, which are essential for maintaining public trust in a high-level institution.

In essence, the Senior Management Course will prepare JOOTRH’s leadership not just to manage, but to strategically lead the hospital into its new era, ensuring it maximizes the benefits of its Level 6 status to serve the Nyanza and Western regions with advanced, specialized healthcare.