Former Tanzanian presidential advisor Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo has been appointed as the Acting World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Kenya, marking the start of a new phase of cooperation between the UN health agency and the Kenyan government.
Dr Kimambo commenced her tenure with an inaugural courtesy call on Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, on February 4. During the meeting, they deliberated on the World Health Organization’s strategic priorities for Kenya in 2026, focusing on advancing universal health coverage, enhancing disease surveillance systems, and bolstering the resilience of the country’s health sector.
Her appointment comes amid acute Kenya-Tanzania tensions surrounding the most recent general elections, during which a Kenyan teacher passed away, and a time when Kenya is accelerating health sector reforms while grappling with emerging public health challenges.
Dr Kimambo previously served as an advisor to former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, where she contributed to national health matters, international health diplomacy, and coordination of donor-funded health initiatives.
Dr. Neema Kimambo during her tenure in Malawi as the WHO Malawi Country Representative.
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WHO Malawi
During the initial meeting, the acting representative stressed the importance of the long-standing partnership between WHO and Kenya, describing the relationship as critical to improving health outcomes and strengthening national health security.
“This partnership remains pivotal to advancing Kenya’s health agenda and safeguarding the health of the people of Kenya,” she said.
Professionally, Dr. Kimambo boasts more than 25 years of experience in public health leadership, policy implementation, and health systems development across Africa.
Before taking up the Kenya role, she served as the WHO Representative to Malawi from 2022 to 2025, where she led programmes on health system reforms and public health initiatives.
She also worked at the WHO Regional Office for Africa as a Medical Officer for Child and Adolescent Health, providing technical leadership on maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health programmes across member states.
Additionally, Dr. Kimambo served as the Acting WHO Representative to Ghana between 2019 and 2021, further strengthening her experience in regional health diplomacy and programme management.
Prior to joining WHO, the Public Health specialist held senior roles in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, including Director of Preventive Services, where she led national preventive and promotive health programmes.
As a presidential advisor, she advised on reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, and represented the country in global accountability initiatives for women’s and children’s health.
Dr Kimambo holds medical and public health degrees from the University of Dar es Salaam and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and has pledged to work closely with Kenya’s Ministry of Health to advance universal health coverage and improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo during a meeting during World Mental Health Day 2024.
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WHO Malawi
