AKDN nepotism Kenya
An anonymous whistleblower report has exposed alleged nepotism, favoritism, and toxic leadership within the Outreach Division of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The disclosure, shared with this outlet, raises serious concerns about irregular promotions, opaque recruitment processes, and an oppressive management style that whistleblowers say contradicts the AKDN’s long-standing values of fairness, meritocracy, and staff dignity.
Fast-Tracked Promotions Raise Questions
At the center of the allegations is Dr. Jyoti Bhayani, whose rapid rise from pharmacy officer to Allied Health Manager, then to Senior Manager of Clinical Operations, and ultimately to Head of Outreach, is described as highly irregular.
According to the report, these positions were never transparently advertised or competitively recruited. Instead, they appear to have been created as a direct pathway for Bhayani’s advancement rather than as roles essential to the wider institution.
Restructuring Seen as Undermining Accountability
The whistleblower submission also questions why the newly created Head of Outreach role seems to have displaced the traditional Chief Operating Officer (COO) post, which historically required extensive financial and operational expertise.
This restructuring, the report claims, has left critical gaps in financial oversight, forcing finance staff to cover responsibilities normally reserved for a seasoned COO. It further alleges that Kenya is diverging from AKDN’s global practice, where senior appointments demand robust managerial experience.
Toxic Work Culture Alleged
Equally troubling are the claims of oppressive leadership practices. The anonymous account describes a work environment where:
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Decision-making has become overly centralized.
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Routine matters now require direct approval from the top.
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Staff face verbal humiliation that discourages participation.
The submission argues that this has created a culture of fear and disempowerment, lowering morale and pushing some employees into psychological distress, with some reportedly dreading going to work.
Calls for Independent Review
The whistleblowers are urging AKDN’s senior leadership to commission an independent review into both the recruitment processes behind these appointments and the management culture now in place.
They warn that if these allegations are left unaddressed, the Outreach Division risks damaging not only its internal credibility but also the global reputation of AKDN, an institution historically associated with fairness, justice, and excellence.
The anonymous author, citing fear of retaliation, closed their appeal by stressing that this is not just an internal matter, but a test of AKDN’s integrity and accountability to the global community it serves.
Courtnews.co.ke will continue to follow this story, seeking official responses from AKDN leadership and tracking any steps taken to address the claims raised in the report.