Kemri board defies pressure to confirm CEO past retirement age
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Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) Ag. Director General Prof Elijah Songok during a press briefing at the Kemri Mtwapa offices on October 3, 2024.
Earlier this year, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei issued a warning to government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) about the consequences of non-compliance with circulars reinforcing the retirement age cap in public service: 60 years, or 65 for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Recruitment in the public service is legally required to be competitive.
The board of directors of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) has been threatened with disbandment by a senior government official after rejecting his directive to appoint Prof Elijah Maritim Songok as the organisation’s CEO, despite him being over the mandatory retirement age for public service.
At a recent board meeting chaired by former Wajir Senator Dr Abdullahi Ali Ibrahim, board members recorded their dissent to a letter from the official directing them to confirm Prof Songok—currently acting CEO—citing that such a move would violate the law.
