Dr. Lilian Otiso
(Chairperson)
is the Executive Director of LVCT Health, Nairobi, and a distinguished healthcare researcher with 20 years of experience. She leads ground-breaking projects funded by various donors including PEPFAR, CDC, USAID, UKRI, NIHR, UN agencies and various foundations, focusing on HIV, sexual reproductive health, gender-based violence, maternal and child health and health systems strengthening. Pursuing a PhD in Global Health from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK, Dr. Otiso has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and guided key national and global health policies. Dr. Otiso is at the forefront of several groundbreaking impactful research initiatives. She serves as a Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI on multiple large-scale, multi-year, multi-country research and implementation projects significantly advancing health systems and enhancing health outcomes. A recognized leader, she co-chaired the Health Systems Global Thematic Working Group on Community Health and has contributed to WHO guidelines. Under her leadership, LVCT Health expanded its research portfolio and impact and became Kenya’s largest PEPFAR partner. Dr. Otiso has received numerous accolades, including the Trocaire Oscar Romero Award and being named an Obama Foundation Leader: Africa 2018 Fellow.
Dr.Samuel Kinyanjui
(Vice Chair Board)
Dr. Samuel Gitau Kinyanjui is a distinguished medical doctor and public health leader with over 20 years of experience in health systems strengthening across Africa and Asia. A recognized expert in TB/HIV program management, he is widely regarded for his commitment to transformative health systems and advancing Universal Health Coverage. He currently serves as the Country Program Director for AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Kenya, where he oversees HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for more than 186,000 people in 14 counties, contributing to AHF’s global reach of 2.7 million clients in 47 countries. Under his leadership, AHF Kenya’s workforce of over 350 staff continues to partner closely with National and county governments to expand access to high-quality, community-centered health services. Before joining AHF, Dr. Kinyanjui worked as an independent health systems consultant with organizations such as The Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Joint Learning Network, supporting HIV, TB, and health system reforms across multiple regions. His career also includes serving as a County Government Chief Officer for Health, Project Director for a national USAID-funded TB program, and Regional Senior TB Advisor for Management Sciences for Health. Dr. Kinyanjui holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and Infectious Diseases from Nagasaki University in Japan, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Moi University, and a Diploma in Senior Health System Management from Carlos III University in Madrid. He is a respected thought leader, a champion of UHC, and a passionate advocate for sustainable, equitable, and people-centered health systems.
Dr. Susan Ontiri
(Treasurer Board)
Dr. Susan Ontiri (Treasurer Board) is a public health specialist and researcher serving as Country Director at International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, where she leads a broad portfolio of research and interventions focused on reproductive, maternal, adolescent, and child health. She brings extensive regional experience in monitoring, evaluation, and research across multiple African countries, with expertise spanning family planning, sexual and reproductive health, and global health systems strengthening. Dr. Ontiri also contributes to global and national health governance through leadership roles with Family Planning 2030 and Kenya Medical Research Institute. She holds advanced training in public health, epidemiology, and global health.
Mr. Edward Munene Miano
Mr. Edward Munene Miano – Executive Director HERAF is an expert in designing, managing and monitoring health governance and human rights programmes including health policy advocacy, health financing and community monitoring, He has over 15 years' experience in providing organizational strategic direction leadership and capacity strengthening He is an Anthropologist by training with a BA (Anthropology) and Master's Degree of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Nairobi. Health Rights Advocacy Forum (HERAF) is a national non- governmental organization that transform health system through strengthened 'voice' and accountability. We aim at reducing access barriers, strengthening resilience, and democracy grounded on human rights, strong governance and accountability.
Evelyn Samba
Board member
Evelyn Samba – Executive Director (YSW) is a development expert with over twenty years of experience in working with civil society and government. Throughout her work in programme design, community development and human rights-based approaches (HRBA), she has set a strong focus on gender, SRHR and women’s rights. Evelyn has a background in social work and Strategic Leadership and has been the country director for DSW Kenya since 2017. YSW stands for Youth for a Sustainable World, a locally led, youth-centered feminist organization in Kenya formerly known as the German Foundation for World Population (DSW Kenya). Headquartered in Nairobi, it focuses on gender equality, socio-economic empowerment, and integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services.
Musa Ogony ~
Board Member
Musa Ogony - Project Manager at VSO, A results-driven Social Development Specialist and Programme Management professional with over 9 years of experience leading complex development programmes across diverse contexts. Expertise focuses on advancing equity, social justice, governance, social accountability, influencing SRHR /Gender policy and budget processes and locally led development. I have a proven track record of designing and delivering high-impact programmes, managing multi-country consortiums and sub-grants, building strategic partnerships that strengthen sustainable development outcomes. My technical expertise spans Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), child protection, youth engagement, disability inclusion, civic participation and institutional capacity strengthening. I apply rights-based, refugees/ disability/ gender-responsive and intersectional approaches to empower marginalised communities, strengthen youth-led civil society organisations and improve accountability systems at national and regional levels. I also bring strong experience in resource mobilisation, donor compliance, programme quality assurance, monitoring evaluation and learning and adaptive programme management. Throughout my career, I have successfully led and managed high-value, multi-country programmes funded by leading international donors, including the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Union and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have consistently delivered programmes on time and within budget while ensuring compliance, fostering innovation, and achieving measurable impact for communities. I am passionate about building high-performing teams, cultivating meaningful partnerships and translating strategy into action. My leadership is grounded in collaboration, accountability and evidence-based decision-making with a strong commitment to ensuring that development initiatives are locally owned, inclusive and sustainable. I am driven by the opportunity to lead transformative programmes that create lasting social change and ensure that no one is left behind.
Brenda Bakobye Khayumbe ~
Board Member
Brenda Bakobye Khayumbe - National Coordinator/CEO at Y+ Kenya is an enthusiastic youth Passionate about policy advocacy on SRHR and HIV among Adolescents Girls and Young Women. She believes policy advocacy work involves two key things: policy change and policy implementation that work for young people. She has 8 years of experience in adolescent and young people's sexual reproductive health, HIV, and AIDs including human rights programming. She has as well taken part in the development of key adolescent health documents including the Communication for Development (C4D) Knowledge Materials targeting Adolescents and Young People with messaging on SRHR and HIV by UNICEF ESARO and an innovative approach to information links: Y-labs. She's currently sitting at the Kenyan Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) multi-stakeholder Country platform. This platform is being established restrengthen the coordination and implementation of RMNCAH-N services, and mobilize and enhance accountability for resources and health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents in Kenya. Working with Adolescent Girls and Women through Y+ Kenya, Brenda has given keen consideration to mental health issues affecting this targeted population and identifying possible solutions to the rising issues.
Nazi Mwambura Kivutha ~
Board Member
Nazi Mwambura Kivutha is the former Chairperson of the County First Ladies Association (CFLA) (November 2017 - May 2020) and the First Lady, Makueni County. Nazi is a Counselling Psychologist who previously served as Assistant Director for Counselling in the Ministry of State for Special Programmes (MSSP). She holds a Master’s Degree in Education (Counselling and Human Development) from St. Lawrence University, U.S.A. Nazi has great passion for working with adolescents and young people. She is the founder of Shina Foundation, a non-profit making organization that focuses on health, education and empowerment. Some of the programmes that she undertakes through her foundation in collaboration with the Government of Makueni County and other partners include: menstrual hygiene management (MHM) programme christened ‘Keeping Girls in School: Ending the Period of Shame’; mentorship programme; adolescent sexual reproductive health programme; jigger eradication programme; and establishment of libraries and distribution of books to schools. Nazi is the Makueni County champion for menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and family planning. She is also the patron of the Makueni Chapter of the Kenya Counsellors and Psychologists Association (KCPA). Through her advocacy, a counselling unit which offers psychosocial support and professional counselling services has been established in the Department of Health Services, Makueni County and the Makueni County Reproductive Health and Family Planning Act, 2019 enacted into law to ensure that family planning strategies are sustained and funded in the future.
Mercy Wanjiku ~
Board Member
Mercy Wanjiku – Advocacy Lead (AYARHEP) is a dynamic and dedicated professional who firmly believes in the power of hard work and diligence. With a strong foundation in teamwork and leadership, she excels in adapting to diverse work environments and building excellent interpersonal relationships. Her career objective is to become a leading advocate in her field of health, advocacy on societal and leadership skills among adolescents and young people. This in turn continually helps her in seeking opportunities for learning and growth to tackle emerging challenges and make meaningful contributions. Mercy is committed to developing her leadership skills through hands-on experience, positioning herself as a valuable asset to any organization and space she joins. She actively seeks roles that not only challenge her but also promote professional development and personal growth. Passionate about empowering adolescents and young people, Mercy envisions nurturing the next generation of leaders. She is dedicated to equipping youth with valuable knowledge and raising awareness about important health and societal issues. Through her journey, Mercy aims to inspire and mentor young individuals, helping them become champions for a better today and a brighter tomorrow, regardless of their diversities, backgrounds or circumstances.
Dr Margaret Lubaale ~
Chief Executive Officer, HENNET
Dr Margaret Lubaale is the Chief Executive Officer of the Health NGOs’ Network (HENNET), Kenya’s leading coalition bringing together civil society organisations working across the health sector in all 47 counties. She is an accomplished development and public health leader with more than 20 years of progressive experience designing, managing and strengthening large-scale health and community programmes. Before joining HENNET, Dr Lubaale held senior leadership positions with several international development organisations including Winrock International, ChildFund International, Pathfinder International and Plan International. Over the course of her career, she has provided strategic direction to teams implementing programs in maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, HIV, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection, prevention of gender-based violence, education and broad community development. She is widely recognized for her strong leadership, policy engagement, partnership-building and communication skills, and for her ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives that advance national health priorities. Under her stewardship, HENNET continues to champion evidence-based advocacy, strengthen civil society collaboration and amplify the voice of more than 120 member organisations in national health policy processes.