Global partners including the World Bank, Global Fund and AMREF are set to channel programme funding through the institute rather than the parent ministry.
Fresh claims of favouritism, selective enforcement of regulations and internal power struggles have emerged at Afya House following the removal of a senior public health professional from key responsibilities at the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI).
The officer, a long-serving Deputy Director of Laboratory Services at KNPHI, was stripped of his roles following a directive issued by the Principal Secretary in charge of Public Health and Professional Standards, according to official documents seen by this publication.
Signed Directive
According to a regulatory advisory and administrative compliance directive dated January 19, 2026, signed by the Principal Secretary and addressed to the institute’s Acting Director, the officer was ordered to immediately cease all laboratory-related functions.
The directive states that the officer is “not registered or licensed with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board within the meaning of Sections 2, 19 and 20 of Cap 253A,” and warns that the engagement of unlicensed persons in laboratory-related activities presents “regulatory, clinical and medico-legal risks to institutions and the public.”
The letter further directs that the officer “shall not engage, directly or indirectly, in any activity constituting medical laboratory practice, including laboratory supervision, coordination, validation, forensic analysis, diagnostic testing or professional representation.”
Alleged Power Struggle Over KNPHI
Sources within the Ministry of Health claim the directive is linked to an ongoing struggle over control of KNPHI, a newly empowered agency expected to receive direct donor funding following recent policy and financing reforms.
“According to publicly available records, the PS holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management and Marketing, with a professional background largely in education, administration and private-sector leadership“
Under the new framework, major development partners—including the Global Fund, World Bank, United States State Department, and the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF)—are expected to channel funds through KNPHI rather than the parent ministry.
Insiders allege that after attempts to have the agency disbanded or weakened were unsuccessful, focus shifted toward sidelining senior officers perceived as obstacles to influence and control within the institute.
Court Ruling Cited
Factions in favour of the affected officer dispute the basis of the directive, arguing that a similar issue was previously determined by the courts.
They cite a 2023 Employment and Labour Relations Court decision in ELRC Petition No. E239 of 2023, in which a request by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board to restrict the officer’s functions was reportedly declined.
The officer has served in the public service for over 16 years, including 10 years at the Ministry of Health, and holds a Master’s degree and a PhD in Molecular Sciences, according to documents provided by his supporters.
Claims of Double Standards
Sources further allege unequal application of professional regulations, claiming that a previous holder of the same office, who allegedly possessed similar academic qualifications, was not subjected to comparable disciplinary action.
They argue that the selective enforcement of registration requirements points to favouritism and raises concerns about consistency and fairness in the administration of professional standards within the ministry.
Community Outcry
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from professionals drawn from the Abasuba community, who say the officer has been unfairly targeted and publicly embarrassed.
In a statement shared with the media, the group said it was “taken aback” by the contents and circulation of the directive, alleging that it casts the officer in a criminal light and has been widely shared across professional forums, social media platforms, and, they claim, with some international development partners.
They argue that the circulation of the letter amounts to a breach of privacy and professional ethics, insisting that internal administrative matters should be handled confidentially and through established procedures.
Alleged Breach of Protocol
The set further alleges that a senior ministry official, not authorised under ministry protocols to engage external partners, has been circulating the directive to development agencies, warning them against engaging the affected officer.
They claim such communication violates internal protocols that reserve official engagement with development partners to the Director General of Health, and have called on oversight bodies to review whether due process was followed.
The group is also calling for scrutiny of internal human resource procedures, including adherence to applicable schemes of service and promotion requirements within the ministry.
Call for Oversight
“We want Parliament to intervene,” said the spokesperson, arguing that the matter has now escalated beyond an internal administrative issue and raises broader concerns about governance, fairness and accountability in the public service.
They warned that continued internal wrangles risk undermining donor confidence and weakening the implementation of critical public health programmes funded through KNPHI.
The sect further noted that public officers—particularly those from marginalised communities—should be protected from reputational harm and that disputes should be resolved through lawful, confidential and procedurally fair channels.
They argue that the growing complexity of public health governance, especially with institutions like KNPHI handling donor-funded, technically sensitive programmes, requires leadership that balances managerial skills with deep sector-specific understanding.
Leadership and Governance Questions
Critics have questioned whether political appointees with limited technical backgrounds are exerting disproportionate influence over professional institutions within the Ministry of Health, arguing that such dynamics have historically undermined professionalism and institutional independence.
They point to the expanding role of the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) as a major funding and coordination hub for donor-supported programmes, saying this makes adherence to transparent governance, technical autonomy and professional oversight more critical than ever.
In this context, critics have also raised concerns about the educational background of the Principal Secretary in charge of Public Health and Professional Standards.
According to publicly available records, the PS holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management and Marketing, with a professional background largely in education, administration and private-sector leadership.
While factions maintain that strong administrative and managerial skills are sufficient for senior policy roles, critics argue that the absence of formal training in health or biomedical sciences raises questions about decision-making in highly technical areas such as laboratory regulation, public health standards and professional oversight.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Health regarding the concerns raised were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
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