DNK International By Our Correspondent,Nairobi
As Kenya strengthens its defences against Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases, Dr Patrick Omwanda Amoth, the Director General for Health in the Ministry of Health, remains one of the country’s most experienced medical administrators, combining clinical expertise with national and international public health leadership.
With more than three decades of experience in the medical profession, Amoth has risen from a frontline medical officer to one of the most influential technical leaders in Kenya’s healthcare system, helping shape health policies, coordinate disease control efforts and advance universal health coverage.
Amoth was born in 1970 and is a son of the late Senior Chief Amoth Owira of Alego, Siaya County.
The doctor has built his professional career through years of service in public hospitals and the Ministry of Health.
His medical journey began at the University of Nairobi, where he earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree.
He later on obtained a Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the same institution and a Diploma in Health Systems Management from Galilee College in Israel.
The combination of clinical training and health management expertise prepared him for responsibilities extending beyond patient treatment to hospital administration, policy development and national healthcare coordination.
Amoth began his public service career in 1993 as a medical officer at the former Provincial Hospital in Kisumu, where he served until November 1997.
He then joined Kenyatta National Hospital as a senior house officer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, serving until February 2001.
In April 2001, he moved into health administration as the District Medical Services Officer for Kiambu East and Kiambu West, positions he held until November 2011.
During his tenure in Kiambu, he became known for his hospital management skills, resource mobilisation and efforts to improve health infrastructure and services.
He also supported programmes aimed at strengthening maternal and child healthcare.
He later on served as Chief Medical Specialist at Machakos Level Five Hospital before taking up senior responsibilities at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi, where he became a Chief Medical Specialist and Senior Deputy Director of Medical Services.
His progression into national health leadership followed his appointment to head the Ministry of Health’s Department of Health Sector Coordination and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Dr.Amoth later headed the Directorate of Public Health, where he played a central role in developing strategies to improve health care delivery across Kenya’s 47 counties.
Amoth also contributed to the development and alignment of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage roadmap, an ambitious initiative aimed at ensuring that citizens can access essential healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
His appointment as Acting Director General for Health in January 2020 marked a defining moment in his career, coinciding with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the government’s principal technical adviser on health matters, he became involved in coordinating the country’s response to the pandemic, including the development of public health guidelines, disease surveillance, testing strategies and vaccination programmes.
His leadership during the pandemic earned him national recognition.
In June 2020, he received the Presidential Order of Service, Uzalendo Award, followed by the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) in December of the same year for his service to the country.
His contribution to health policy also extends to immunisation, with his leadership record encompassing the introduction of pneumococcal, human papillomavirus (HPV) and rotavirus vaccines into Kenya’s national immunisation schedule.
These interventions form part of broader efforts to reduce preventable diseases and improve health outcomes, particularly among children and other vulnerable populations.
After serving in an acting capacity for several years, Amoth was nominated for appointment as Director-General for Health in June 2024.
Parliament approved his nomination following scrutiny of his qualifications, experience and suitability for the position.
His appointment formalised his leadership of the Ministry of Health’s technical directorates and strengthened his responsibility for advising the government on public health priorities.
Beyond Kenya as discovered by Daily News Kenya-International, Amoth has established himself as a prominent figure in international health diplomacy.
In May 2020, he was elected Vice-President of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board, representing the African region.
In June 2021, he was elected chairman of the WHO Executive Board, a major international leadership appointment that placed him at the centre of discussions on global health policy.
The 34 member Executive Board plays a critical role in implementing decisions of the World Health Assembly, advising the organisation and guiding its programme of work.
Amoth’s international responsibilities also included chairing the WHO International Health Regulations (2005) Review Committee on proposed amendments to the regulations between September 2022 and January 2023.
The assignment placed him among experts involved in examining international health rules governing preparedness for and responses to public health emergencies.
At the regional level, he has championed stronger cooperation among African countries in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and health system resilience.
He has particularly emphasised the One Health approach, which recognises the links between human, animal and environmental health.
This approach is important for Kenya and its neighbours because infectious diseases can cross borders quickly, requiring coordinated surveillance, information sharing and emergency response systems.
Amoth’s current responsibilities have acquired renewed significance following the Ebola outbreak affecting Kenya in October 2026.
The country’s response has involved identifying suspected infections, isolating patients, testing contacts, tracing people who may have been exposed and strengthening surveillance to limit further transmission.
By October 20, the Ministry of Health had confirmed nine cases linked to a single cluster.
Health authorities reported that there was no evidence of transmission beyond that group at the time, while contact tracing and quarantine measures continued.
Amoth’s role in the response reflects the importance of experienced technical leadership, coordination between healthcare facilities and public health authorities, and cooperation with international partners.
His broader responsibilities also include improving maternal and child health, strengthening healthcare quality and addressing persistent inequalities in access to treatment.
In April 2026, he called for data driven interventions to accelerate improvements in maternal and child health, highlighting the need for practical measures to reduce newborn and under five mortality.
He also advocated targeted interventions in counties with a high burden of preventable health problems.
Despite his achievements,health sector players insist that the country’s health sector continues to face significant challenges, including pressure on healthcare financing, uneven distribution of medical personnel, gaps in access to quality services and the need to strengthen emergency preparedness.
These challenges mean that Amoth’s legacy will depend not only on policies developed under his leadership but also on whether those policies translate into better services, improved health outcomes and greater protection for ordinary Kenyans.
His career illustrates the transition from clinical medicine to public-health administration and international leadership.
From his early years treating patients in Kisumu to his service in senior hospital positions, national policy development and the WHO Executive Board, Amoth has accumulated experience across several levels of health care management.
As Kenya confronts emerging infectious diseases while pursuing universal health coverage, his leadership remains central to the government’s efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, improve healthcare delivery and build a more resilient health system.
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🗓️ [Daily News Kenya-International@October 26,2026]
