The ex-Police boss now takes over at the helm of the troubled national referral hospital.
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The appointment comes barely weeks after the KNH Board confirmed it suspended embattled chief executive officer Lily Koros and director of clinical services Bernard Githae following the brain surgery mixup at the troubled national referral hospital.
KNH head of legal services Calvin Nyachoti said Koros and Dr Githae were sent home to allow a special audit of operational systems.
Kimaiyo was the first Inspector General of the Kenya National Police Service, a position created by the 2010 Constitution to replace the position of Police commissioner.
Police career
The former police boss served as the Commander Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) from 1999 to 2002 before taking up the position of Commandant General Service Unit between 2002 and 2003.
He worked for one year as coordinator of the Kenya National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons before taking up the role of Director of Operations of the Kenya Police until 2008.
Kimaiyo also previously served as a Senior Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of National Heritage and the Head of the Kenya National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The former IG retired from National Police Service on December 2, 2014.
He unsuccessfully vied for the Senate seat for Elgeyo Marakwet County in last year elections on a KANU ticket which he lost to Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen.