Three months after former Kesses Member of Parliament Dr. Swarup Mishra was suspended after his health facility was largely mentioned in organ transplant scandal, President William Ruto has appointed his successor.

In a gazette notice dated Friday, July 4, 2025, the head of state named Dr. Charles Githinji as the new chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute.

Githinji, who previously chaired the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, will now take the helm of BioVax Institute for three years forthwith.

In the gazette notice, Ruto revoked the appointment of Mishra.

“William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Charles Githinji to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Kenya Biovax Institute Limited, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 4th July, 2025. The appointment of Swarup Ranjan Mishra (Dr.) is revoked,” the gazette notice read in part.

Githinji’s main role will be driving the Institute’s mission and aligning it with Kenya’s public health priorities.

Mishra’s suspension

On Friday, April 18, 2025, the head of state suspended Dr. Swarup Mishra as chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute.

This was after the organ transplanting saga was exposed, raising concerns in the country. The statement indicated that Mishra’s suspension was with immediate effect.

President Ruto made it clear that the suspension would remain in force until investigations into claims of illegal activities involving kidney transplants are concluded, indicating that the facility mentioned in the exposé was founded by Mishra.

Mishra, who lost his Kesses parliamentary seat to Julius Ruto, a former Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance, during the August 2022 polls, was appointed in November 2024 and was meant to serve for three years.

“President William Ruto has today suspended, with immediate effect, Dr Swarup Mishra as chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute,” the statement read in part.

“The suspension shall remain in force pending the outcome of investigations into serious allegations of unethical and illegal activities involving kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret. The hospital was founded by Dr Mishra,” it added while explaining the reason for suspension.

The organ transplant saga made headlines, compelling members of parliament to open a probe into the matter. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also suspended other officials for their involvement.