Investing in People to Strengthen HIV Care in Kenya

The future of HIV care in Kenya depends on researchers who understand local health systems, public health professionals who use evidence to develop and implement policy and clinicians who know how to turn that guidance into practice. 

Through a D43 research training grant funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, AMPATH partners are helping prepare that next generation of leaders. The grant supports “Training in HIV Implementation Science and Dissemination in Kenya (HIV-ID),” equipping early-career professionals with the skills, mentorship and experience needed to improve HIV care across western Kenya and beyond. 

“This grant is really about investing in a youthful generation of practitioners and leaders who will spend their careers strengthening HIV care and conducting contextual implementation science research,” said Winstone Nyandiko, MBChB, MMED, MPH, Moi University School of Medicine and co-principal investigator. “When you build local leadership and research capacity, the impact lasts far beyond any single study.” 

Moses Muriithi Njiru has presented his work at international conferences including an oral presentation during the European Scientific Conference on Applied and Infectious Disease  Epidemiology (ESCAIDE) in Warsaw, Poland, in 2025. 

The D43 grant program is designed to strengthen research and training capacity in low- and middle-income countries. At AMPATH, the grant builds on strong partnerships with Moi University, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and county health systems to ensure training is rooted in real-world priorities. The focus is not only on producing research, but on developing the next generation of investigators who can utilize implementation science as a tool to develop evidenced based programs, inform policy and improve care delivery.  

Trainees supported by the grant complete a rigorous curriculum that includes four core courses that were developed through the D43 and have been implemented as part of the Moi School of Public Health curriculum. These include: HIV Management Across the Life Course, Grant Writing and Management, Health Research Translation and Implementation Science in Global Health. Didactic training is paired with professional development activities such as manuscript writing seminars, responsible conduct of research seminar series, works-in-progress sessions and structured mentorship.  

“What makes this training unique is how closely it is tied to practice,” said Kara Wools-Kaloustian, MD, executive director of the AMPATH Consortium in Kenya and co-principal investigator. “Trainees are learning skills they will use throughout their careers, whether they are working in research, clinical programs or health system leadership.” 

That connection to practice is intentional. Trainees develop research projects that respond to challenges faced by HIV programs, clinics and communities. Many are embedded within ongoing AMPATH-supported HIV efforts or work closely with county health teams, ensuring their work addresses pressing needs in care delivery. 

For the four members of the first training cohort, the experience has already begun shaping their professional paths. Trainees completed the full curriculum, developed master’s theses focused on HIV service delivery and began preparing manuscripts based on their findings. Several have presented their work at scientific meetings, building confidence and visibility as emerging leaders in the field. 

“The skills and experiences gained through the D43 program have equipped me to conduct scientific enquiries with confidence,” said Moses Muriithi Njiru, MSc. Field Epidemiology at Moi University who is currently placed with the Division of National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP) as a Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) resident. “My future aspirations include pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology with a focus on infectious diseases and engaging in postgraduate fellowships. These steps will empower me to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community and advance to a mid- and eventually senior-level career researcher.” 

“The mentorship from the faculty members from Moi and Indiana Universities has been particularly impactful,” added Njiru. “Their guidance significantly strengthened my communication skills and shaped my approach to scientific communication.”  

While the program faced brief delays due to nationwide education disruptions in 2025, courses were successfully delivered and trainees continued progressing through the program.  

The second cohort of four trainees is now advancing through coursework and developing research proposals aligned with HIV priorities at both national and county levels. Recruitment is also underway for the third and final grant cohort, reflecting strong interest in training that combines research excellence with practical impact. 

"I was drawn to the D43 program because of its focus on research capacity building, mentorship, and addressing locally relevant global health priorities,” said Ruth Nehema, a master’s in public health graduate student at Moi University College of Health Sciences and member of the second cohort. “Practical learning, mentorship, and collaboration has been particularly valuable because it directly supports my goal of producing evidence that can improve the wellbeing of populations, especially for older adults living with HIV." 

Looking ahead, AMPATH partners are focused on ensuring the program’s benefits extend well beyond the grant period. Plans include supporting the development of an HIV Implementation Science and Dissemination track within Moi University degree programs and launching a competitive post-graduate fellowship that will place trainees within county health teams for a one-year postgraduate experience.  

“When these trainees move into leadership roles, they will carry this training with them,” said Mabel Nangami, PhD, Moi University School of Public Health and co-principal investigator. “That is how you create lasting change in HIV care.” 

As Kenya continues its progress against HIV, the need for skilled, locally grounded leadership remains critical. Through the D43 training grant, AMPATH is investing in people whose careers will help ensure that evidence-based HIV care reaches communities today and continues to improve in the years ahead.