The government has nullified the election of the Medical Students Association of Kenya officials, citing breach of their constitution.
Senior State Counsel at the Registrar of Societies, Felix Mukuvi, nullified the elections held on October 27, last year.
There was a breach of Article 7 of the association’s constitution and two of the elected officials—Andrew Were and John Kibet—are not medical students.
“We find that the elections of the society were not conducted in accordance with the constitution of the society in force then and the same is hereby nullified,” Mukuvi said.
He said this in a letter addressed to Zebedee Motanya of the students' association and Maria Murugi of the Association of Kenyatta University Medicine Students.
The Registrar of Societies was responding following a complaint filed by Murugi on March 8, asking the government to nullify the elections over alleged irregularities.
She challenged the general meeting held by the society in October 2023, where the current officials were elected.
It was not constitutional as it did not include a majority of the current presidents of various medical schools, Murugi said, and that Were and Kibet are not medical students.
Following the action, the Msake executive board sounded the alarm over alleged misuse of its logo.
The body cautioned the public and donors to consult the office before engaging in any partnership with the disputed office holders.
In its response after the probe, the government observed the constitution was breached and that Were and Kibet did not qualify for elections.
“Having noted the relevant provisions of the constitution of the society, we wish to state as follows: "That the elections were not conducted in accordance with the constitution in force then",” Mukuvi said.
“At the time of the election held on October 27, 2023, Were and Kibet did not qualify as members of the society as the constitution in force then did not provide for Alumni Membership and therefore their election is null and void.”
Mukuvi said a letter submitted by the secretary general admitted that the two are former students.
“...Kibet admitted during the consultative meeting in our office on June 10, 2024 that he is no longer a student and is already practising as a doctor.”
The current executive committee of the society is therefore not constituted in accordance with the constitution of the society, he said.
In its statement, Msake said it is committed to promoting the welfare and interests of medical students throughout Kenya.
“We stand for enhanced accountability, transparency and integrity. We decry abuse of power, obstruction of justice, identity theft, unauthorised transactions and misappropriation of funds during service in any organisation," the Association said.
"We strive to foster collaboration, cultivate leadership qualities in our members, and advocate for a progressive and innovative medical education system in the country.”