Kenyan Scientist Lands Powerful WHO Role in Global Fight Against Sexually Transmitted Infections
Kenyan Professor Kenneth Ngure Appointed to WHO Technical Advisory Group to Shape Global STI Policies
A distinguished Kenyan public health researcher has secured a prestigious appointment at the World Health Organization (WHO), placing Kenya at the centre of global efforts to combat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as countries race to strengthen disease prevention, research and public health policies.
Professor Kenneth Ngure, an internationally acclaimed researcher from the Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), has been appointed to the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) following a competitive global selection process.
His three-year term officially commenced in June 2026, making him one of a select group of international experts tasked with advising the UN health agency on scientific evidence, policy development and strategies aimed at preventing, controlling and eliminating sexually transmitted infections worldwide.
The appointment is widely seen as a significant milestone for Kenya’s scientific community and a recognition of the country’s growing influence in global public health research.
The WHO Technical Advisory Group plays a critical role in guiding the organisation’s decisions on STI prevention, diagnosis, treatment and surveillance. Members provide independent scientific expertise that informs international guidelines adopted by governments and health institutions across the world.
Professor Ngure has built an international reputation through decades of research in HIV prevention, implementation science, sexual and reproductive health, and public health policy. He has led several multicountry studies designed to improve healthcare delivery and expand access to HIV prevention services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Beyond his research work, Ngure also serves as President-elect of the International AIDS Society (IAS), one of the world’s leading organisations dedicated to advancing HIV research, treatment and prevention.
Reacting to his appointment, Professor Ngure described the opportunity as both an honour and a responsibility.
“I am deeply honoured by this appointment and grateful to the World Health Organization for the opportunity.
“I look forward to working with colleagues from around the world to ensure that scientific evidence continues to inform policies that improve health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. I am equally proud to represent JKUAT and Kenya on this important global platform.”
His appointment comes at a time when sexually transmitted infections remain one of the world’s most persistent public health challenges.
According to the World Health Organization, more than one million curable sexually transmitted infections are acquired every day among people aged between 15 and 49 years. The agency also estimates that hundreds of millions of people are currently living with viral STIs, including genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV), underscoring the urgent need for stronger prevention programmes, expanded access to treatment and evidence-based public health interventions.
In Kenya, health authorities have continued to intensify efforts to curb both HIV and sexually transmitted infections through expanded testing, treatment and prevention programmes under the country’s broader sexual and reproductive health strategy.
The latest national estimates indicate that approximately 1.48 million Kenyans are living with HIV, although new infections have steadily declined in recent years due to sustained investment in prevention campaigns, wider access to antiretroviral therapy and improved public awareness.
Health experts maintain that continued scientific research and evidence-driven policymaking will be critical to sustaining those gains while addressing the growing burden of other sexually transmitted infections.
Professor Ngure’s appointment is expected to amplify Kenya’s voice in global health decision-making while highlighting the country’s expanding contribution to international research on HIV, sexual and reproductive health, and infectious disease prevention.
The recognition also reinforces Kenya’s reputation as an emerging hub for world-class medical research, with local scientists increasingly playing leading roles in shaping international health policy and improving health outcomes across the globe.
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