Doubts Linger After Mutahi Kagwe Dismissed Top KEMRI Scientist

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe speaking during a presser outside Kenyatta National Hospital, April 2020.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe speaking during a presser outside Kenyatta National Hospital, April 2020.
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Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe came under heavy criticism from a section of Kenyans following his decision to dismiss Joel Lutomiah from his position as director of the Center for Virus Research (CVR) at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri).

Kagwe had stated that the decision was reached after Lutomiah failed to provide Covid-19 test results on time on Friday, April 17.

Serious questions have, however, been raised by individuals including Lutomia's colleagues at Kemri, questioning whether the alleged delay was sufficient reason for demotion with others claiming other factors may have been in play.

The Ministry of Health sought to double down on the move at the daily briefing on Sunday, April 26, with Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman stating that the dismissal was meant to enhance co-ordination between Kemri and the Ministry.

Dr Joel Lutomiah, who served as the Dirctor for Center for Virus Research at Kemri.
Dr Joel Lutomiah, who served as the Director for Center for Virus Research at Kemri.
Kemri

“It is our role to ensure that we co-ordinate (the transmission of results) properly," he noted, further asserting that "the other issues are administrative within Kemri".

The 'other issues' Aman was referring to was the alleged discontent at Kemri after Lutomiah's dismissal, with those who worked under him claiming that Lutomiah had been pushing for the government to provide them with proper protective equipment and had even threatened to stop the tests if the same was not done.

Noting that they had only received white gumboots, his colleagues also reportedly questioned if the right procedure was followed in dismissing Lutomiah.

In addition, it was revealed that on the day the results were allegedly delayed, Kagwe gave a press conference in the morning at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), a break from the usual 3 p.m. conferences and a factor that might have explained the alleged delays.

Kenyans including Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi then joined in criticizing Kagwe's controversial move.

"On February 28, 2020, Mutahi Kagwe was ordered by Court to trace and detain 239 Chinese nationals who had landed at JKIA. He did not and is still in office.

"How egregious is KEMRI Ag. Deputy Director, Center for Virus Research, Dr Joel Lutomiah’s misconduct to warrant summary dismissal?" Havi posed in a post on Sunday, April 26.

"This is ridiculous. Not releasing results on time? What kind of reason is that, surely? This is so disrespectful of knowledge and professionals," wrote Daystar University lecturer Wandia Njoya.

"I am appalled by Mutahi Kagwe's sacking of the lead researcher at KEMRI for "delaying to deliver Covid-19 test results".

"It is time politicians appreciated the many years of study and the hard work our researchers do with very limited support. Brute force can't replace this. Shame!" wrote Professor Alfred Omenya, a former Dean at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK).

"Dr Joel Lutomiah has over 40 years of research experience. He's an expert in parasitology, entomology, pandemic influenza, & arbovirology. He's written dozens of scientific papers & he leads 6,000 top minds at KEMRI.

"Mutahi Kagwe has an MBA from USIU. Who should fire the other?" posed Starehe MP Charles 'Jaguar' Njagua, adding his voice to the debate.

Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) located in Nairobi.
Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) located in Nairobi.
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