Nairobi – President William Ruto has appointed former Red Cross Secretary General Dr Abbas Gullet as the new non-executive chair of the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Board of Directors, in a leadership overhaul at the KNH. Dr Abbas Gullet appointment took effect on July 25, 2025 announced through a Gazette Notice No. 10085. Dr Abbas Gullet replaces Dr Samier Muravvej, whose term was revoked.
Dr Abbas Gullet held the Secretary General position at Kenya Red Cross Society through one of its most dynamic periods, after joining Kenya Red Cross organization in 2001 when the organization was over KSh35 million in debt and facing a critical leadership vacuum. Over the 18 years, Dr. Abbas Gullet steered Kenya Red Cross toward financial recovery and national relevance as the leading disaster management organization supporting millions of Kenyans affected by disasters ranging from climate related events such as floods, drought and aiding Kenyans by giving critical first aid to protestors who suffered injuries and bodily harm during protests over the years. Dr. Gullet introduced income-generating ventures including the Boma Hotel hospitality establishment, launching the Switch TV media brand, establishing emergency medical services under E-PLUS, and expanded humanitarian operations across Kenya.
Dr Abbas Gullet new three-year term begins on August 5.Dr. Abbas Gullet appointment to KNH is expected to bring in effective leadership and crisis-management skills into an institution long challenged by overcrowding, staff shortages, and resource constraints. Stakeholders view Dr Gullet’s entry as a potential turning point in healthcare governance. The appointment brings an opportunity to re-center public health on accountability, service delivery, and patient care, as Gullet’s approach are expected to be results driven.
Dr Samier Muravvej, the outgoing KNH chair, has been appointed to head the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council.
Paul Ndung’u Kariuki has been appointed chair of the Kenya National Public Health Institute, replacing David Ndegwa Nyokabi. Fredrick Namenya Were has takes over the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, while Dr Dabar Abdi Maalim chairs the Nursing Council of Kenya. Joseph Maina Njogu joins the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya Board for a three-year term.
Joseph Maina Muiruri has been re-appointed as chair of the Media Council of Kenya. Susan Karago, Timothy Wanyonyi Chetambe, and Tabitha Mutemi have been retained on the council.
In the university system, Prof. Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha has taken over the University of Nairobi Council. Prof. James K. Sang has been appointed chair of Egerton University Council. Dr Idle Omar Farah has been retained at the Technical University of Kenya, and Prof. Isaac Meroka Mbeche continues his leadership role at Taita Taveta University Council.
Reappointments were also made in the water sector. Teobald Mukundi Wambugu stays on at the Tana Water Works Development Agency, and Erick Rutto remains chair of the Water Sector Trust Fund.
Dr Abbas Gullet was born in Garissa and raised in Mombasa, Gullet joined the Kenya Red Cross as a volunteer in 1973. Dr. Abbas Gullet rose through the ranks to lead the society during one of its most turbulent phases. His tenure included the launch of the Kenyans for Kenya famine relief initiative in 2011, which raised over KSh1 billion for long-term food security in drought-hit regions. The initiative built the Kaikor irrigation farm in Turkana, the Chesirimion Dam in Baringo, and the Walda irrigation project in Marsabit. These sites still support thousands to date.
In 2007, Dr. Abbas Gullet was recognised the UN Person of the Year and received the Order of the Golden Warrior from the Government of Kenya. Dr. Gullet was listed among Forbes Africa’s 100 Most Influential Africans in 2011 and elected Vice President for Africa at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 2013. Dr. Abbas Gullet remains Kenya’s most decorated public service leader, his appointment to KNH has revived hope for renewed governance at the institution.
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