Mombasa County—The Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) in Mombasa has become the center of a heated dispute following the suspension of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Iqbal Khandwalla, after a patient linked to Mvita MP Mohammed Soud Machele’s security detail died at the facility.
On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Machele publicly called for Dr. Khandwalla’s dismissal, referring to him by his race rather than by his professional title, a remark that would later draw sharp criticism from the medical fraternity.
Responding swiftly, the Mombasa Governor suspended Dr. Khandwalla on Sunday, February 22, citing laxity and governance concerns, and appointed Dr. Sood Mohamed as Acting CEO to ensure continuity of services.
The move triggered a strong response from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU). On Monday, February 23, the union, through Chairperson Dr. Abidan Mwachi and Secretary General Dr. Davji Atella, condemned the suspension as a “shocking display of administrative high-handedness,” arguing that Dr. Khandwalla was being scapegoated for systemic failures and had been interdicted without a Show Cause Letter or an opportunity to respond.
KMPDU warned that industrial action would commence within seven days if he was not reinstated, emphasizing that professional expertise must not be sacrificed for political convenience.
The doctors also demanded a public apology from MP Machele for his unprofessional and racially charged reference to the CEO, arguing that personal attacks distract from critical governance and patient safety issues at the hospital.
The county government, through Acting County Health Executive Mr. Dan Manyalla, defended its decision as a standard procedural measure taken when grave allegations arise.
The suspension, the statement explained, does not imply guilt, and Dr. Khandwalla will be accorded a fair and expedited hearing before the Hospital Board, with full opportunity to respond.
All hospital services, including emergency care and clinical programs, remain fully operational, and the Governor is set to personally visit CGTRH to discuss immediate measures to restore public confidence.
The county also cautioned staff against unlawful industrial action, noting that disruption of essential services endangers lives, while affirming its commitment to work with professionals dedicated to serving Mombasa residents with integrity.
Senator Mohammed Faki, however, criticized the county’s approach as a “kneejack attempt to pass the blame” for systemic challenges, highlighting chronic underinvestment in the hospital over the past three years, reliance on donor funding facilitated by Dr. Khandwalla, staff shortages, and ignored recommendations from oversight reports.
He urged the CEC Health and Chief Officer Health to explain their role in addressing these systemic issues, noting that resolving Coast General’s challenges requires more than suspending the CEO.
The unfolding situation at Coast General underscores the delicate intersection of healthcare, governance, and politics in Mombasa. With doctors threatening strike action, county authorities warning against unlawful disruption, and political leaders publicly critiquing both the CEO and the county administration, the hospital remains at the heart of a high-stakes debate over accountability, professional integrity, and patient safety.
As the county and medical fraternity navigate this standoff, the eyes of Mombasa residents and the wider coastal community remain fixed on CGTRH, whose operational stability is critical to the region’s health system.
The coming days will test both individual accountability and the capacity of the county government and healthcare professionals to collaborate under public scrutiny.
