An official who is active in access to medicines policymaking in Geneva has taken over as the new permanent representative of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Tom Mboya Okeyo, a medical doctor and public health specialist, has served as deputy permanent representative at the Kenyan mission since 2007, with primary responsibility for managing Kenya’s relationship with the World Health Organization, UNAIDS and other international health organizations. From 2006 to 2007, he was medical counselor and served as coordinator of the African Group on health matters under the auspices of the African Union in Geneva, according to a UN press release.
During his time in Geneva, Kenya has played a leading role in efforts at the WHO such as developing strategies for financing research and development of drugs for neglected diseases which occur predominately in developing countries (IPW, WHO 21 May 2010).
Mboya previously held various management positions in the Kenyan Ministry of Health, and served as director in the Office of the President on matters related to HIV/AIDS.
Mboya, 48, has degrees from Kenya; Wales, United Kingdom; and Turin, Italy, the UN said.