About Our Team - Population Services Kenya

Dr Josephine Kibaru – Mbae, OGW
Board Member

Dr. Festus Ilako

Chairman

Dr. Festus Ilako worked for the Ministry of Health in Kenya as a Medical Officer after graduating from the University of Nairobi. He later worked as a flight Medical Officer/Flight Surgeon for Kenyan Air Force (KAF) for 12 years, (1985 -1997) before joining Amref Health where he worked in programmes, health systems and capacity building for 20 years, raising through the ranks from Programme Manager, Head of Programmes – Kenya, Country Director – Uganda and Tanzania, to Chief of Programmes. Dr. Festus left Amref in July 2017 to pursue other passions.

Dr. Festus Ilako Geoffrey Githinji

Geoffrey Githinji

Vice Chairman

He is a focused, confident and seasoned professional with 40 years of experience. He has C-Level capability across multiple disciplines and an international multi-cultural outlook with work experience in several countries. He has experience in both the public and private sector with a background in engineering before transitioning to financial services. He has particular interest in people and is a certified executive coach.

Dr. Festus Ilako Bernadette Mutuku

Bernadette Mutuku

Treasurer

Bernadette is a regional-level finance leader with experience spanning over 30 years in global
multinational companies, having previously worked in various roles at East Africa Breweries Ltd for 25
years and worked as the Chief Finance Officer at CMC Motors Group (a member of the Al Futtaim
Group) for 2 ½ years. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Centum Real Estate Company. She
started her career at Price Water House (PWC) as an external auditor. During her 25 years at East African

Breweries Limited Bernadette worked in various finance roles spanning from Internal Audit, Commercial
Finance, Financial Controllership with the Africa Shared Services Centre and mainstream Finance.
Bernadette is a holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Kenyatta University and is a
fully qualified Certified Public Accountant of Kenya.

Geoffrey Githinji Francis Wafula

Francis Wafula

Board Member

Frank is an Associate Professor of Health Systems at Strathmore University (https://strathmore.edu/) and team leader at the Open Phences (Open Phences LinkedIn). His work revolves around strengthening public private engagement, collaboration and partnerships through research and evidence generation, ecosystem building to enable co-creation of pragmatic solutions (including investment cases that create a ‘pull force’ to attract fit-for-purpose innovations from private sector), and creating joint learning forums to allow sharing of lessons and evaluation findings etc (examples, Open Phences YT1, Open Phences YT2, Frank on research and innovation).
Frank previously served as a health specialist with the World Bank Group, working as technical lead in policy, regulation and private sector development in health under the Health in Africa Initiative.

Bernadette Mutuku Lina Githuka

Lina Githuka

Board Member

Lina is a seasoned business leader with over 25 years of earned knowledge, skills and experience in portfolio management, brand marketing, trade marketing, strategy development, business development and people development

Francis Wafula Farai Chieza

Farai Chieza

Member

Over 18 years of multi-country platform and regional oversight, program implementation a n d management. Social marketing, social enterprise , large scale public and private sector health service design and implementation, health systems strengthening, and social behavior change programming in development, humanitarian, and high risk conflict and post- conflict environments. Demonstrated strong resource mobilization skills and experience, with over $250 million in direct funding raised for PSI. Strong “bottom-up” programming experience with proven track record in program and operations innovation across Anglophone markets working with diverse entities and operating models. Highly adaptable individual with drive, a passion for continuous innovation, excellence and change. Proven ability to build relationships at community, government, organizational, donor and the highest diplomatic levels. Significant negotiation skills to tackle highly complex and unambiguous relationships, situations and environments that often require professional judgment. Multi-country and international experience thorough field acquired knowledge of donor policies and procedure.

Lina Githuka Anthony Gitau

Anthony Gitau

Board Member

Anthony Gitau, an Egerton University Biochemistry graduate, is currently the Director of Global Community Impact for Sub Sahara Africa at Johnson and Johnson Foundation. He leads the execution of the Global Community Impact strategy, focused on championing frontline health workers. Formerly, as Director at CIFF, he advocated for adolescent reproductive health, nutrition, perinatal care, and deworming. Earlier, at PSI Kenya, he strategically directed Maternal and Child Health, aligning with Ministry of Health for donor objectives. With 16 years in East Africa’s pharmaceutical sector, including 4 in Access to Medicines, he managed access and information for critical conditions at Sanofi.

Farai Chieza Jessie Githanga

Jessie Githanga

Board Member

Jessie Githanga is an Associate Professor of hematology (blood diseases) and blood transfusion in the Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi and has a robust interest in research. She previously served as a Chair of Department for seven years and is an honorary consultant at Kenyatta National Hospital. Serving as a member of several Technical Working Groups of the Ministry of Health in Kenya, she has been able to impact on various national health issues. As a board member of various local NGOs dealing with matters ranging from women’s health and empowerment, and cancer, Jessie passionately believes in the involvement of the public in matters concerning their health, and gender equity.

Anthony Gitau Dr Josephine Kibaru – Mbae, OGW

Dr Josephine Kibaru – Mbae, OGW

Board Member

Dr. Mbae is a reproductive health expert with experience spanning over 40 years, both locally and regionally. She is a medical practitioner by profession who has risen through the ranks from the position of Medical Officer of Health to the Senior Deputy Director of Medical Services in charge of Family Health. She has had a stint as the Director General of the East, Central, and Southern Health Communities in Arusha and has been the Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), a state agency under Treasury. Dr. Josephine has also served as the Director of Health Services under Nairobi Metropolitan Services. She is a holder of a Master of Medicine degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Nairobi.

Jessie Githanga Mary Reba Ouko

Mary Reba Ouko

Corporate Secretary

Mary Reba Chabeda Ouko is joining the PS Kenya Board as the Company Secretary with effect from 9 March 2017. Reba Ouko is currently a Partner of Umsizi advocates which provides among others, legal advisory services in Corporate and Commercial matters and company secretarial services. She has over 12 years’ experience as the advocate of the High Court and is also a qualified Certified Public Secretary (CPS, K), a qualified Certified Public Accountant (CPA, K) and a Certified Governance Auditor (ICPSK). She is a holder of Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Law degree (LLM) from the University of Cape Town. She has been a Legal Counsel at Barclays Bank, Mobil Oil, Total Kenya, Jubilee Insurance, Bamburi Cement and has served as a Company Secretary and Head of Legal at PDM Holdings, a subsidiary of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Dr Josephine Kibaru – Mbae, OGW Ms. Kathure Githinji Nyamu

Ms. Kathure Githinji Nyamu

Board Member

Ms. Kathure Githinji-Nyamu is an accomplished business leader with over 27 years of experience, including 10 years as a Chief Executive Officer. Currently serving as the Managing Director of NCBA Investment Bank, she leads teams in Asset Management, Brokerage Services, and Corporate Finance Advisory. Her career includes key roles at CBA Capital Ltd, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Deloitte, where she gained extensive expertise in building and growing thriving enterprises driven by sound business strategies, an engaged and motivated employee base, loyal customers, and tailored solutions, all while managing risks through a robust control framework.

As a skilled negotiator and problem solver, Kathure excels at defining and creatively solving complex problems using intuition, available data, and resources. She collaborates with diverse stakeholders to achieve impactful results. Her curiosity drives innovation, enabling the development of new products and efficient business practices, solidifying her reputation as a transformative leader

Mary Reba Ouko Ms. Kathure Githinji Nyamu