Kennedy Otwombe PhD

Council Member

Kennedy Otwombe PhD (Biostatistics) is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Health and lead statistician at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Chris Hani Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Chair of the Research and Academic Committee of the AMREF International University Council and Consultant Biostatistician at the Design, Analyze and Communicate team of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Washington Seattle, USA. Professor Otwombe is dedicated to building capacity for public health in Africa through training of postgraduate students at various local, regional and international institutions. He has several years of experience working as a biostatistician in the field of HIV and TB research across different populations, socio-behavioral research and currently on climate health. In his work, Prof Otwombe collaborates with several local, regional and international teams including the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, Paediatric European Network for Treatment of AIDS (PENTA), UK & South African Medical Research Councils, African Health Research Institute (AHRI), Strathmore University, Stellenbosch University, INFORM Africa Data Science Network, The Paediatric Adolescent Virus Eradication (PAVE) Martin Delaney Collaborator amongst others. Prof Otwombe has authored or co-authored several peer reviewed publications extensively in various fields of public health as well as supervise postgraduate students. She left the Banking industry in 2009 having held positions of Managing Director in Southern Credit Bank, Executive Director and Chief Accountant, Senator Cards. She has also worked with the Insurance Industry at American Life Insurance Company as a Senior Accountant. Other assignments have included Accounts Analyst at United Builders Merchants (UBM), Bristol, UK. Other achievements include: Chairman of Kenya Credit and Debit Card Association (KCDCA) where she influenced change of policy and practice on how the Judiciary handled e-commerce transactions, influenced change in government policy to enable introduction of credit referencing which required amendment of pre-requisite laws, participated in various speaking engagements.  She has extensive board experience both in the private sector and the NGO sector. Having previously served on boards of Southern Credit Banking Corporation, Kenya Institute of Bankers, Syracusia Ltd, Palmhouse Foundation Board of Trustees, Amref Health Africa, Amref Flying Doctors, AMIU Board of Trustees among others. She is currently the Chairperson of AMIU Council.