Leadership Shake-Up at Coast General as Governance Review Sparks CEO Suspension

A dramatic leadership change has unfolded at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, with its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Iqbal Khandwalla, stepping aside following a board resolution. The move signals rising concern over how the region’s largest public referral facility has been managed in recent months.

The hospital’s board convened a special sitting to assess the institution’s operational climate. After deliberations, members concluded that intervention was necessary. They cited a decline in governance standards and growing tension between hospital leadership and key stakeholders. According to county officials, these issues were beginning to erode public trust.

Coast General is not just another health facility. It is the backbone of specialized care in Mombasa County and the wider Coast region. Thousands depend on it daily for emergency services, specialist clinics, and referral treatment. Because of this central role, the board stressed that strong leadership and transparent management are non-negotiable.

While specific details of the concerns have not been made public, insiders describe a strained relationship between management and sections of the community. The board maintained that preserving institutional credibility must come first. Stability, they argued, is critical in a public hospital of this scale.

The suspension is temporary and will remain in effect as a full governance review is undertaken. The review is expected to examine leadership structures, accountability systems, and internal coordination. Officials say the exercise is meant to correct weaknesses and rebuild confidence.

To avoid disruption, Dr. Sood Mohamed has been appointed to steer the hospital in an acting capacity. County authorities were quick to reassure residents that all services continue without interruption. Emergency units remain open. Clinics are operating as scheduled. Medical staff are on duty.

The County Government of Mombasa says it is determined to reinforce accountability across all its health institutions. For patients and staff alike, the focus now shifts to the outcome of the governance review and what it means for the future of one of the Coast’s most vital hospitals.