County defends Coast General CEO suspension amid strike threat

Mombasa county health executive Dan Manyala briefing the media at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital on February 23, 2026./KNA

The Mombasa county government has defended the suspension of the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Iqbal Khandwalla, even as the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union issued a seven-day strike notice, alleging political interference in the decision.

The suspension follows the death of a 52-year-old office guard attached to Mvita MP Mohamed Machele on Saturday, sparking public outrage amid reports that the patient died while awaiting surgery over a Sh350,000 payment dispute at the facility.

The incident has placed the hospital under intense scrutiny, with allegations of medical negligence emerging.

The deceased, Ali Kibwana, a night guard, collapsed while on duty at the Mvita MP’s office. He was rushed to a nearby private health facility for first aid before being referred to CGTRH.

Doctors said the patient had suffered a ruptured brain artery and was managed in accordance with standard operating procedures. They cited a delay in referral from the private facility and noted that he had been scheduled for endovascular coiling in the Cath Lab. However, the required coil was unavailable due to supply disruptions caused by a significant outstanding debt owed by the Social Health Authority.

Acting health county executive Dan Manyala downplayed the strike threat, stating that Khandwalla's suspension was a standard procedural measure following serious allegations at the public facility.

“It does not imply guilt. The CEO will be accorded a fair and expedited hearing before the Hospital Board, with full opportunity to respond to the concerns raised,” Manyala said.

“The purpose of this process is both to determine accountability and to identify any gaps in service delivery or governance that may have contributed to adverse outcomes, to prevent avoidable loss of life and strengthen patient safety at CGTRH,” he added.

Manyala maintained that the suspension is intended to restore public trust in the county’s premier referral hospital, dismissing claims that the decision was politically motivated.

“The CEO bears ultimate responsibility for hospital operations and serves on contract under the supervision of the Board. Our sole focus is the welfare of the people of Mombasa and the integrity of their referral hospital. We extend sincere sympathy to families who have lost loved ones at the facility, including in the incident reported last week,” he said.

Manyala reiterated the county government’s commitment to ensuring residents of Mombasa receive safe, reliable, and dignified healthcare.

“The county government cautions any staff contemplating unlawful industrial action. Disruption of essential health services endangers lives and will attract disciplinary action. We will work constructively with all staff committed to serving the people of Mombasa with professionalism and integrity,” he said.

National KMPDU Chairman Abidan Mwachi termed the suspension illegal and politically motivated. The union is demanding that the decision be revoked and that a neutral team appointed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council conduct an independent investigation.

“We hereby issue a seven-day strike notice commencing February 24 and lapsing at midnight on March 3, 2026, should the above concerns not be addressed,” he said, adding that elective procedures would be suspended, with only emergency services continuing during the notice period.