President William Ruto has announced the appointment of new board chairpersons to three national health institutions in a fresh shake-up aimed at boosting leadership in the health sector.

In the changes published in a gazette notice dated July 25, 2025, the President appointed Dr Samier Muravvej as the new Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, a body that coordinates efforts against syndemics such as HIV, TB, and chronic illnesses.

Muravvej will serve for a period of three years, starting August 5, 2025.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1)(a) of the State Corporations Act and Regulation 3 (1)(a) of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council Order, I, William Samoei Ruto… appoint—SAMIER MURAVVEJ (DR.) to be the Non-Executive Chairperson… with effect from the 5th August, 2025,” reads part of the gazette notice.

Also appointed is Paul Ndung’u Kariuki, who takes over as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya National Public Health Institute, replacing David Ndegwa Nyokabi whose appointment was revoked. Kariuki’s term begins on July 25, 2025, and will run for three years.

In another appointment, Fredrick Namenya Were has been named Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, taking over from Professor Stanley Khainga, whose appointment was also revoked.

 Were’s appointment is similarly effective from July 25, 2025, and is for a period of three years.

The appointments mark a shift in leadership across key health agencies and are expected to bring renewed oversight, policy direction, and coordination to Kenya’s broader public health systems.