Senate demands answers over sacking of top KEMRI scientist Dr. Joel Lutomiah

The Senate is now demanding a statement from the Committee of Health over the sacking of Dr. Joel Lutomiah, the Director of the Center for Virus Research at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Cleophas Malala, in a letter to the Speaker, demanded to know whether the committee is indeed aware of the sacking of Dr. Lutomiah as well as the circumstances that led to the action and whether the right procedure – as stated in the Employment Act – was followed.

“Explain the impact of this action of sacking Dr. Joel Lutomiah as the Director in the Center for Virus Research in the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) on the general functioning of the center and the morale of other researchers at the center during COVID-19 pandemic,” said Malala.

“State how much funding KEMRI has received from the Ministry of Health to help in testing and research on COVID-19 and purchasing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the KEMRI workers.”

The Kakamega Senator further added: “State the specific measures put in place by the Kenya government to motivate KEMRI as an institution on the forefront of helping fight the spread of COVID-19 in Kenya.”