Health

Dr Patrick Amoth nominated as Director General for health

Dr. Patrick Amoth. (File)

By Charity Kilei | Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Nakhumicha highlighted that Dr. Amoth's nomination is in line with the powers conferred by Section 16(2) of the Health Act.

The Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has nominated Dr Patrick Omwanda Amoth for the position of Director-General for Health.

This nomination was conveyed through a formal message to the National Assembly, according to the provisions outlined in the Health Act of 2017 which requires parliamentary approval.

Keep reading

Nakhumicha highlighted that Dr Amoth's nomination is in line with the powers conferred by Section 16(2) of the Health Act.

The nomination awaits the approval process, which is a critical step in formalising the appointment which will be conducted jointly by the Departmental Committee on Health of the National Assembly and the corresponding Senate Committee to ensure a comprehensive vetting process.

According to the procedure, the joint committees will initiate the vetting process by notifying Dr Amoth and the general public of the scheduled hearings.

The quorum for these joint sittings will be determined by the standing orders of each respective house. In the event of a vote, it will be conducted by separate houses to maintain fairness, considering the numerical differences between the two committees.

Upon completion of the vetting, a joint report will be submitted to both houses. This process will be governed by the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011, which stipulates a twenty-eight-day timeframe for the relevant house to consider the nominee.

However, with the House set to recess, this timeline will be paused and resumed upon the House's return, ensuring adequate time for a thorough review, according to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.

The committees are expected to submit their report by Tuesday, August 13, 2024, allowing sufficient time for parliamentary consideration.

This nomination marks a crucial moment for Kenya's health sector, as the Director-General for Health plays a pivotal role in shaping health policies, overseeing public health initiatives, and ensuring the well-being of the nation's citizens.

Dr Amoth currently serves as the Acting Director General for Health in Kenya. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Nairobi, as well as a Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the same institution.

Additionally, he has a Diploma in Health Systems Management from Galilee College in Israel.

Dr Amoth was appointed to act as the Director General for Health in Kenya in January 2020 after succeeding Dr John Masasabi.