Former Kesses MP Swarup Mishra has been appointed as the chairperson of the Board of Directors of Kenya Biovax Institute for a three-year term starting November 22, 2024.
The appointment was announced in a gazette notice issued on the same date by President William Ruto, exercising powers under the State Corporations Act.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) of the State Corporations Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Dr Swarup Ranjan Mishra to be the chairperson of the Board of Directors of Kenya Biovax Institute Limited, for a period of three years, with effect from November 22, 2024,” the notice stated.
Mishra, a prominent medical entrepreneur and proprietor of Mediheal Group of Hospitals, served as Kesses MP for one term before losing his seat in the 2022 General Election to Julius Rutto. Running as an Independent candidate, Mishra was considered sympathetic to the Azimio la Umoja coalition, in a region strongly aligned with President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Despite his reputation as a philanthropist, nicknamed “Kiprop” in the Rift Valley, Mishra’s economic fortunes suffered after his electoral defeat. Auctioneers recently advertised Mediheal Hospital, valued at over Ksh 40 billion, among other assets, to recover debts.
Mishra, however, has since joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and declared support for President Ruto.
His appointment comes as the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Kenya Biovax Institute prepare to invest over Ksh 32 billion in major projects in Eldoret. These include a vaccine manufacturing facility, a KEMRI clinical trials center, and an anti-doping laboratory.
KEMRI Director General Prof. Elijah Songok recently confirmed that Uasin Gishu County has allocated land for the initiatives, which will be funded by both the government and donors.
As chair of the Biovax board, Mishra will play a key role in spearheading these transformative projects.
