New chairpersons appointed at Kenyatta National Hospital, KEMSA and KHATF

KENYA – The President of Kenya, Dr William Ruto, has appointed Dr Samier Muravvej, a dental surgeon and owner of The Smile Centre Dental Clinic, as the chairperson of the Kenya National Hospital (KNH).

Muravvej’s will serve for three years, with his term commencing on the appointment date. He replaces George Opondo Ooko, whose term was, in May 2022, extended for another three years by former President Kenyatta.

Daniel Rono appointed chairperson of KEMSA

At the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), Ruto appointed Daniel Rono as the chairperson of the board of directors with effect from February 10, revoking the appointment of Mary Chao Mwadime.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 (1) (a) of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, I, William Samoei Ruto appoint Daniel Rono as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, for three years,” Ruto directed.

Dr Wilfred Lesan appointed chairperson of KHATF

On the other end, Health CS, Susan Nakhumicha revoked the appointment of Kenneth Wabwire Akide as the Chairperson of the Trustees of the Kenya Hospital Authority Trust Fund (KHATF).

In his place, she appointed Dr Wilfred Lesan to serve for a term of three years.

Nakhumicha also appointed Irine Ogamba and Dennis Gitari members of the National Health Insurance Fund, for three years, with effect from January 20.

The health sector, in the previous administrations, was bedevilled by various scandals, from the KEMSA billionaires to the KSh800 million (US$6.40m) mobile clinics.

In Ruto’s first five months in office, doctors threatened to strike, forcing the government to intervene. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) called off the strike after the government promised to review the basic salaries as per the 2017-2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Kithure Kindiki, appointed Margaret Karanja as a board member of the National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) for a 3-year term. Her term commenced on Friday, February 3.

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