Duale makes fresh appointments in pharmacy and mental health boards
By Faith Lagat, November 9, 2025The government has renewed and expanded leadership roles within key health governance institutions following new appointments and re-appointments to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and the Kenya Mental Health Board.
The changes were announced in the Kenya Gazette dated November 7, 2025, and later highlighted in an X post by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on November 9, 2025.
The appointments were made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, EGH, under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap. 244) and the Mental Health Act (Cap. 248). All appointments take effect from November 7, 2025, and will run for a three-year term.
Strengthening the PPB
Gazette Notice No. 1994 confirms the appointment of Maurice K. Odhiambo, Tabbay Ali Omar, and Sarah Maina Kobia as new members of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
The government has also re-appointed John Amadi, as reflected in Gazette Notice No. 1995.
In a post shared on November 9, 2025, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board further clarified the updated composition.
The statement read, “Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale, EGH, has announced new appointments and re-appointments to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) under Section 3(1) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap. 244). Appointed: Dr Maurice K. Odhiambo, Dr Tadudi Aly Omar, and Serah Mutu Kisilu. Re-appointed: Dr Ina Anand and Dr Kimutai Mai. The appointments take effect from 7 November 2025 for a term of three years.”
The names align with the gazetted notices, indicating coordinated updates to the board’s leadership.
Changes in the Kenya mental health board
The Kenya Mental Health Board has also undergone new appointments as listed in Gazette Notice No. 1992. The appointees include Laurent Ongaro, Saima Gitau, Haron I. Bwika, and Damaris Wanjiku.
Additionally, Gazette Notice No. 1993 records the re-appointment of Roseline M. Munge to the board.
According to the Kenya Gazette, “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 (2) of the Mental Health Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Health appoints— Under paragraph (d) (i)— Laurent Ongaro (Dr.) Under paragraph (d) (ii)— Saima Gitau Under paragraph (d) (iii)— Haron I. Bwika (Dr.) Under paragraph (e)— Damaris Wanjiku (Dr.) to be the Members of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Mental Health Board, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from 7th November, 2025.”
Standardising leadership terms
The alignment of three-year appointments across both boards underscores the government’s efforts to reinforce continuity and strengthen governance in health sector regulatory and mental health systems.