Former Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary-General Abbas Gullet has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The appointment was announced through a gazette notice dated July 25, which also confirmed the revocation of Dr. Samier Muravvej’s tenure. Gullet’s new role as a non-executive chairperson of the KNH board will span a three-year term.
The President made the decision using powers granted under Section 6(1)(a) of the State Corporations Act and Regulation 2(2)(a) of the Kenyatta National Hospital Board Order. This marks a significant leadership shift at one of the country’s most prominent public health institutions.
Abbas Gullet brings a wealth of experience in humanitarian and public service, having served for many years as the Secretary-General of the Kenya Red Cross Society. Under his leadership, the organization became a highly regarded humanitarian body, known for its efficiency in disaster response, healthcare initiatives, and community outreach.
Beyond his work at the Red Cross, Gullet is also a successful entrepreneur and hospitality industry leader. He is the founder and chairperson of the Boma Group of Hotels, which operates in Nairobi, Eldoret, and Nyeri. The hotel chain is a social enterprise fully owned by the Kenya Red Cross and supports its humanitarian programs.
Earlier in his career, Gullet held roles at the Kenya Post and Telecommunications Corporation and the Kenya External Telecommunications Company, offering him deep experience in administration and public sector service.
As part of the leadership changes, Dr. Samier Muravvej, the outgoing KNH Board chair, has been appointed to a new role. He will serve as the Chairperson of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council Board for a three-year term beginning August 5, 2025.
In a separate appointment, Prof. Fredrick Namenya Were has been named the new Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). His term also begins on July 25 and will run for three years. He replaces Prof. Stanley Khainga in the regulatory council overseeing medical practice and ethics in the country.
These appointments are seen as part of a broader government strategy to strengthen leadership in Kenya’s key health institutions.
