PS Muthoni bars senior Health ministry laboratory analyst from practice over lack of licence

The Ministry of Health has ordered the Kenya National Public Health Institute (NPHI) to immediately bar a senior officer from engaging in any medical laboratory practice after finding that his deployment and assigned roles were inconsistent with professional regulatory and public service frameworks.

In a directive issued by Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni to NPHI Acting Director General Dr. Maureen Kamene, the ministry raised concerns over the role of Leonard Kingwara, a Senior Laboratory Analyst appointed under the State Department for Medical Services.

The directive follows correspondence from the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB), which regulates the training and practice of laboratory professionals, and an administrative review by the ministry.

According to the letter, Mr. Kingwara “is not registered or licensed by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board within the meaning of Sections 2, 19, and 20” of the Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Act, Cap. 253A.

The ministry noted that under the law, “medical laboratory practice, including diagnostic, forensic, pathology, and laboratory supervisory functions, may only be undertaken by persons duly registered and licensed by the Board.”

PS Muthoni hence warned that the engagement of unlicensed persons in such roles “presents regulatory, clinical, and medico-legal risks to institutions and the public.”

The directive also flags alleged irregularities in Mr. Kingwara’s deployment within the public service.

While the Public Service Commission appointed him as a Senior Laboratory Analyst in Job Group ‘L’ in August 2024, the ministry noted that subsequent postings to the Directorates of Curative and Nursing, the Division of Pathology and Forensic Services, and later to NPHI as Manager, Laboratory Services, went beyond his approved job group, scheme of service, and the institute’s approved establishment.

“These resulted in responsibilities that extend beyond the officer’s approved job group and scheme of service, and the approved human resource and establishment framework,” wrote PS Muthoni.

Further, she raised concerns over an appointment made by the NPHI Board chair in October 2024, which tasked Mr. Kingwara with supporting the operationalisation of the institute for three years without financial facilitation.

“This appointment was made outside the provisions of the Human Resource Policies and Procedures for Recruitment in the Public Service,” the PS noted, adding that changes to the institute’s organogram were inconsistent with structures later approved in July 2025.

“The foregoing actions demonstrate non-compliance with approved governance and human resource frameworks and raise concerns of potential conflict of interest.”

As a result, PS Muthoni issued immediate compliance measures, directing that Mr. Kingwara “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.”

She further ordered that “any title, role, or designation implying medical laboratory professional leadership or statutory responsibility shall be administratively withdrawn.”

NPHI has also been instructed to ensure that all laboratory services are undertaken and supervised exclusively by personnel registered and licensed by KMLTTB, and that leadership of divisions transitioned to the institute remains with substantively appointed officers until positions are filled through proper public service procedures.

The institute has been given seven days to submit written confirmation of compliance and corrective actions taken to both the KMLTTB and the Ministry of Health.

“This directive is issued in the interest of public safety, professional regulation, institutional integrity, and compliance with the law,” the PS said, noting that it does not amount to a finding of personal misconduct but serves as an administrative and regulatory alignment measure.

The ministry warned that continued non-compliance may attract further action under applicable laws and public service accountability frameworks.