Ruto appoints veteran humanitarian Abbas Gullet as chair of KNH board
Abbas Gullet is widely known for his transformative leadership at the Kenya Red Cross Society, where he served as Secretary-General for nearly two decades from 2001.
President William Ruto has named Abbas Gullet, a long-serving humanitarian and Red Cross veteran, the new non-executive chairperson of Kenyatta National Hospital’s Board of Directors. The appointment is effective July 25, 2025, and will run for a three-year term.
In the same notice, the president revoked the appointment of Dr Samier Muravvej, who previously held the post.
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“I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Abbas Gullet to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Kenyatta National Hospital, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 25th July, 2025. The appointment of Samier Muravvej (Dr) is revoked,” read part of the gazette notice dated July 25.
Gullet is widely known for his transformative leadership at the Kenya Red Cross Society, where he served as secretary-general for nearly two decades from 2001.
Under his watch, the organisation expanded its reach, modernised operations, and built Kenya’s largest ambulance service through E-Plus, which today runs a fleet of 128 ambulances.
He began his humanitarian journey in 1973 as a form one student at Mombasa Technical High School, joining the Red Cross through the president’s award scheme.
Gullet worked for the Kenya External Telecommunications Company and the Kenya Post and Telecommunications between 1978 and 1984, before officially joining the Red Cross in 1985 as a medical officer.
He rose through the ranks, holding several humanitarian roles in Kenya and abroad before being seconded by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to lead efforts back in Kenya in 2001.
Gullet has dedicated his life to humanitarian causes and currently serves as the vice president for Africa at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent.
His contributions have earned him major accolades, including the UN Person of the Year in Kenya, Order of the Golden Warrior, Utetezi Award, Moran of the Burning Spear, and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Egerton University. He was also recognised in Forbes Africa as among the top 100 most influential Africans.
He founded the Boma Hotels chain, which operates in Nairobi, Nyeri, and Eldoret and supports the Red Cross through sustainable income generation.
Born into hardship, Gullet lost both parents as an infant and was adopted by parents from a different ethnic background. He grew up on bursaries and spent 11 years volunteering with the Kenya Red Cross before joining its workforce full-time.
In 2020, at the age of 60, he stepped down from his role at the Red Cross, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family after decades of intense service that began each day before sunrise and ended after dark.
His return to public service through KNH is expected to inject strong oversight and leadership into the board of the country’s top referral and teaching hospital.
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