President William Ruto has officially replaced former Kesses MP Dr. Swarup Mishra as chairperson of the Kenya BioVax Institute, three months after suspending him over allegations of unethical conduct. In a Gazette notice dated July 4, 2025, Ruto appointed Dr. Charles Githinji to take over the leadership of the state-owned vaccine manufacturing body for a three-year term.
Dr. Githinji, the immediate former chairperson of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), brings extensive experience in pharmaceutical regulation and health governance. His appointment marks a strategic move to restore credibility and accelerate the production and commercialization of vaccines and biomedical products at BioVax.
Dr. John Munyu has been appointed to replace Githinji at PPB for a similar three-year term.
“The appointment of Swarup Ranjan Mishra (Dr.) is revoked,” read part of the gazette notice, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations that led to his removal.
Dr. Mishra, who also owns the Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret, had been under investigation following damning revelations about questionable kidney transplant practices at the facility. A Ministry of Health fact-finding mission—prompted by a warning from the global Transplantation Society—found serious lapses, raising fears of illegal organ trafficking involving foreign nationals.
In response, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale suspended two senior officials from the Ministry of Health and halted all kidney transplant services at Mediheal. He also directed patients to seek services from the eight officially licensed transplant centres, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Aga Khan University Hospital, among others.
The scandal highlighted major ethical gaps in Kenya’s transplant monitoring systems and cast a shadow over Mishra’s leadership at BioVax.
With Dr. Githinji now at the helm, the government aims to refocus BioVax’s mandate on vaccine self-sufficiency and rebuilding trust in the health sector.
This leadership shake-up signals President Ruto’s intent to crack down on medical malpractice and strengthen governance in the country’s health institutions.
