The government, through Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, has appointed five new members to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), Kenya’s statutory drug regulator, in a move aimed at strengthening oversight of Kenya’s pharmaceutical market.
The appointments were published in the Kenya Gazette on November 7, 2025, and come amid growing scrutiny of regulatory gaps in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The new appointees are Magdalene Wanja Mugo, Joseph Mwangi Nderitu, Samuel Maina Kanyi, Josephine Wanjiru Mburu, and Sarah Mutio Kisilu.
Each will serve for a term of three years, effective from the date of publication.
The appointments were made under Section 3(1) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap. 244), which empowers the Cabinet Secretary for Health to constitute the Board responsible for regulating the manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of medicines and poisons in Kenya.
Profiles of the Appointees
Isha Anand is Chief Pharmacist at The Nairobi Hospital with over a decade of experience in clinical pharmacy leadership.
She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Curtin University, a Master’s in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Belfast, and an MBA in International Healthcare.
She is a certified Kaizen practitioner and a mentor in quality improvement initiatives.
Bernard Kimutai Maiyo is a lecturer at Kenya Medical Training College and a registered pharmaceutical technologist.
He holds a Diploma in Pharmacy, a BSc, and an MSc in Analytical Chemistry, and specializes in pharmaceutical education and project planning.
Maurice K’ Odhiambo serves as Deputy Director at the Office of the Auditor-General and is an academic researcher.
He holds a PhD in Tropical and Infectious Diseases, an MSc in Health Economics, and an MPharm in Clinical Pharmacy.
He has published extensively in Pharmacoeconomics and infectious disease treatment.
Tadudi Aly Omar is a lecturer and clinical pharmacist at the Technical University of Mombasa.
He previously worked as Pharmacist-in-Charge at Mariakani Sub-County Hospital and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and a Master’s degree in Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy, with a focus on clinical services and drug information.
Serah Mutu Kisilu is the CEO of Semular Pharmacy in Nairobi and a registered pharmaceutical technologist.
She previously served as Chief Pharmaceutical Technologist at Care Hospital and has held leadership roles in the Kenya Pharmaceutical Association.
She holds a Diploma in Pharmacy, a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Environmental Health, and certifications in procurement and contracts.
Pharmacy and Poisons Board
The PPB is the primary regulatory authority for pharmaceuticals and medical devices in Kenya.
Its core functions include licensing pharmacies, registering drugs, inspecting premises, and enforcing compliance with safety and quality standards.
The Board also oversees pharmacovigilance, ensuring that medicines circulating in the market meet efficacy and safety requirements.
Recent years have seen heightened scrutiny of Kenya’s pharmaceutical supply chain following reports of counterfeit drugs and irregularities in licensing.
Also Read: Former KEMSA Directors Win Ksh12 Million for Being Sent on Forced Leave
The Ministry of Health has signaled a renewed commitment to strengthening regulatory enforcement, with the latest appointments expected to inject fresh expertise into the Board’s operations.
Duale’s Plan for PPB
Health CS Aden Duale plans to overhaul the Pharmacy and Poisons Board through five key measures: digitizing licensing and pharmacovigilance systems, increasing annual inspections from 1,200 to 3,000, and cracking down on counterfeit drugs.
He aims to boost local manufacturing by enforcing WHO GMP standards and fast-tracking approvals to reduce reliance on imports, which currently supply 70% of medicines.
Also Read: Unions to Table Demands Ahead of TSC Migration of 400,000 Teachers to SHA
Duale also seeks to expand training and accreditation for pharmacists and harmonize Kenya’s regulations with regional and global frameworks.
These reforms target a pharmaceutical market projected to hit US$1.09 billion (KSh140.6B ) by 2030, according to the government, ensuring safer, affordable medicines nationwide.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
