OUR TEAM
Dr. Wamai is from Nyeri County, Kenya, but now splits his time between his research in Kenya and his teaching at Northeastern University. He has 20 years of research experience in global health. Since 2011, he has spearheaded VL efforts in East Pokot. He has participated in numerous policy, strategic and technical meetings with MOH, WHO and the key VL partners in Kenya and discussed the VL work in various national, regional and global forums and with scientists in the field from diagnostics and drug discovery and development. He has led the establishment of the TERMES Center in Chemolingot with a goal to develop a center for excellence in VL in the region.
Dr. Richard Wamai, PhD
Team Lead
Dr. Wang’ombe is a professor of economics at the UON-SPH where he has worked since 1984. He was Chairman of the SPH from 1995 to 2001 and has served on national and international initiatives and bodies. He is a member of the MOH NTD Working Group and has provided leadership in proposal development to fundraise for project activities. He provides leadership in all aspects of project implementation and is a central figure in national policy. Professor Wang’ombe has worked on research projects in Kenya spanning HIV/AIDS, health systems, non-communicable diseases and NTDs for more than 10 years.
Dr. Joseph Wang'ombe, PhD
Project Director
Mr. Atuko served as the first Baringo County Executive Commissioner for Health (CEC) during the project's founding. Currently, he is Director of Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service and a public health consultant with United Nations and WHO. He has been a leader in the MENTOR Initiative, the Kenya Red Cross, and Aga Khan Foundation. During his term as the Baringo CEC, Atuko expanded health access and advocated for support of VL activities. He organized County level meetings between many stakeholders. He has provided technical advice and supervision during the construction and renovation of the VL ward and laboratory at Chemolingot Hospital and the establishment of the TERMES Center.
Moses Atuko, MPH
Technical Advisor
Ms. Nyakundi has managed the NEU-UON VL project since its founding in 2011. She has coordinated and managed all projects led by Professors Wamai and Wang’ombe in Kenya since 2010. Her basic training as a social worker with an advanced degree in public health has the trans-disciplinary advantage of applying public health tools and skills to social issues. She has supervised implementation of all project activities and is the liaison for project partners at country, county and sub-county levels. She is a member of the National Leishmaniasis Technical Working Group. She has been instrumental in designing VL posters and fliers for use by CHVs to conduct health education in the community, which was adapted by the MOH to mark the 2014 World Health Day.
Hellen Nyakundi, MPH
Project Manager
Mwatela Kitondo is a passionate Public Health professional, Data Manager, and Field Coordinator at the African Centre for Community Investments in Health (ACCIH). Driven by a deep commitment to transforming lives in Kenya’s underserved communities, he has spent over a decade supporting research and community-based programs focused on combating Neglected Tropical Diseases and improving access to essential healthcare. Through his work, Mwatela bridges science and humanity — turning data into solutions and challenges into opportunities. He has also mentored and supervised students from Northeastern University of Boston and the Medical College of Wisconsin, supporting their research and guiding immersion programs in Baringo.
Mwatela believes in the power of partnerships and donor-driven impact, championing collaborative efforts that bring hope, restore dignity, and create healthier, thriving communities where no one is left behind. With greater support, he envisions scaling ACCIH’s reach, expanding life-saving interventions, and transforming more vulnerable lives across Kenya.
Mwatela Kitondo, BSc
Data Manager
Mr. Plilan is the MOH district community health strategy focal person for East Pokot. He is head organizer for the Kaperur Community Based Organization (CBO). For the past 10 years, the CBO has worked in East Pokot and responded to the lack of water and sanitation, weak education systems, gender decimation and retrogressive cultural practices. Due to limited opportunity for education (especially for girls), the CBO has advocated for enrollment of girls in schools and elimination of female genital mutilation (FGM). Through the CBO, Elijah provides critical field-related logistical support including recruitment and mobilization of CHVs to support the integrated mobile screenings, active case finding and patients follow-ups.
Elijah Plilan
Social and Community Organizer