President William Ruto has officially appointed Dr Charles Olang’o Onudi as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
Onudi’s appointment was confirmed through a gazette notice dated November 7, with the new appointee set to serve for a period of three years.
The appointment was made under the provisions of the State Corporations Act (Cap. 446), which specifically grants the Head of State the appointing authority to select a chairperson.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 7 (1) (a) of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital Order, 2025, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Dr Olang’o Onudi to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for a period of three years, with effect from November 7, 2025,” the notice read.
Photo Captainx Lennox Omondi
The appointment of Dr Onudi comes as no surprise since he boasts a wealth of experience, having served in senior roles within Kisumu County, including as a member of the County Executive Committee.
He later served as the county secretary in Kisumu in an acting capacity.
Among the roles he has held are a Provincial Medical Officer and a Director at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
One of his more notable contributions was when he participated in discussions with the National Union of Nurses, which led to the suspension of a strike which had paralysed the health sector in Kisumu in 2019.
In 2010, he was appointed as Director of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) by then-Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o in a move which attracted criticism in parliament.
Onudi’s appointment solidifies the governance structure of JOOTRH, particularly after its recent promulgation to a national State Corporation status
.JOOTRH is one of the most crucial medical facilities in the Western Kenya region, catering to millions of people as a Level 6 facility.
Onudi’s Non-Executive Chairperson role is crucial in providing oversight and ensuring governance standards within the facility are maintained.
