Governance

Executive Committee

We have a very strong steering board committee that spans a variety of intellectual fields — from biomedical science and public health to law, finance and epidemiology.

NRHS board of directors

Guiding research into impact

The executive committee provides strategic direction and oversight, ensuring NRHS stays grounded in rigorous evidence, ethical practice and community trust.

Chairperson

Prof. Collins Ouma

Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Director, Research and Innovations of Maseno University, Kenya

Prof Collins Ouma previously served as the Research Scientist and Program Leader, Health Challenges at African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and Director, Research and Knowledge Translation at the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP). Prior to joining the two pan-African institutions (APHRC and AFIDEP), Prof. Ouma served as the Director of Research, Publications and Innovations at Maseno University, Kenya, where he has also held many senior academic and administrative positions including Dean, School of Public Health and Community Development. Earlier in his career, Prof. Ouma served as a Senior Research Officer with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) based at the Centre for Global Health and Research (CGHR) in Kisumu, Kenya, and within the National Institutes of Health-funded Severe Malarial Anemia (SMA) Project.

Vice Chairperson, NRHS Board

Madam Alie Eleveld

Pediatric Nurse from the Netherlands, specialized in Tropical Medicine and Public Health

Alie Eleveld holds a Master in Public Health with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has worked in Eastern Africa (Zambia, Congo, South Sudan and Kenya) leading public health programs and research since 1984. She is permanent resident in Kenya. She is founder of Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP) an award winning NGO which is operating in 7 counties in Western Kenya with public health programs, research and emergency response.

Co-Founder and Secretary of NRHS Board

Prof. Robert Bailey

Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health, Illinois Chicago

Robert Bailey is Co-founder and Secretary of the Executive Committee of NRHS. Robert holds a PhD in Biological Anthropology from Harvard University and an MPH in Epidemiology from Emory University. Prof. Bailey’s research and public health efforts have focused primarily on issues of human health in Africa, including investigations into the prevention of maternal to child transmission of HIV, risk factors for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Board Member

Isaac Okero

Lawyer and Advocate, Kenya and UK

Isaac E. N. Okero studied law at the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and signed the Roll of Advocates in December 1989. He joined the law firm of Behan and Okero as a partner in 1992. He has been engaged in litigation represented the firm’s clients at all levels of the Kenyan court system and has been involved in resolving major industrial disputes that required negotiations at the highest levels of the Ministry of Labour.

Board Member

Prof Walter Jaoko

Professor of Medical Biology, University of Nairobi

Professor Walter Jaoko is a physician and professor of Medical Microbiology and Tropical Medicine and Director of KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research, at University of Nairobi. He is also an Extraordinary Professor of Medicine at Stellenbosch University, and Visiting Professor at the School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Board Member

Mr. Njeru Alex

Chief Financial Officer, Population Services Kenya

He has spent of most of his career time in developing accounting and reporting systems in medium and large size organizations. Before joining his current employer, Alex worked as the head of Internal Audit in the Telecom Industry with Econet Wireless (Later Essar Telkom). He also held various roles in Audit and Finance at Tourism Promotion Services East Africa (Serena Hotels). Alex is a Finance Professional with over 20 years’ experience in the private and NGO sectors.