Dr. Faith Simiyu is the Founding Director of Africa Health Law.

Through Africa Health Law, she leads the TRAM initiatives—Training, Research, Advocacy, and Mentorship—which advance health and medical law, human rights, governance as well as strategic and public interest litigation across Africa. She is also a Commonwealth PhD alumna of Cardiff University’s School of Law and Politics, where she conducted doctoral research—funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID)—focusing on health and human rights.Her academic qualifications include a doctorate in law(PhD)(law) obtained from Cardiff University as well as a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Commercial Law from Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This is in addition to a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)from the University of Nairobi; as well as a Bachelor of Education (Arts) in English and History from Kenyatta University, Kenya.

Dr. Simiyu has over fifteen (15) years of experience in legal practice, regulatory compliance, governance, policy development, and institutional strengthening. In fact, she has consulted extensively for local, regional, and international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Network for Adolescents and Youth of Africa, African Council for Distance Education, Privatization Commission of Kenya,Law Society of Kenya, and the Water Services Regulatory Authority, among others. Her consultancy portfolio encompasses legal and governance audits, policy and legislative drafting, capacity building, professional training, field-based research for evidence generation, and policy advocacy, all aimed at advancing health and human rights outcomes in Africa.

In academia, Dr. Simiyu lectures at higher education institutions in Kenya and internationally, specializing in health law, human rights, and commercial law. This includes teaching at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom as well as Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).Her pedagogy integrates moot courts, role plays, and practitioner-led seminars to cultivate practice-ready graduates. She has served as the Founding Chairperson of the Department of Private Law at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where she co-pioneered the establishment of theJKUAT Law Journal, the JKUAT Law Student Newsletter, and the Annual JKUAT Law Student Mentorship Forum. Through these initiatives, she has mentored hundreds of young lawyers, facilitating access to internships, externships, and broader professional development opportunities.

Overall, Dr. Simiyu’s professional journey reflects a steadfast commitment to access to justice, philanthropy, the promotion of health and human rights, and the mentorship of the next generation of African legal professionals. She aspires to further strengthen collaborative research, teaching, and capacity-building initiatives that integrate rigorous scholarship with practical engagement, with the ultimate goal of creating sustainable, grassroots-level impact for future generations.

consultants

Dr. Shirley Genga is a Consulting Partner for Africa Health Law.

She is a human rights lawyer, researcher, and advocate whose work aligns closely with Africa Health Law’s vision of promoting health and human rights that respond to the demands of a dynamic and evolving world while upholding rule of law and justice for all.

She brings a unique multidisciplinary background drawn from academia, and the Kenyan media industry, enabling her to engage complex legal challenges with clarity, depth, and social awareness.

Dr. Genga is currently a post-doctoral fellow at the Free State Centre for Human Rights, where her research focuses on the intersection of human rights, emerging technologies and the law, particularly within African contexts. Her core areas of expertise include Disability Rights, Artificial Intelligence and human rights, equality and non-discrimination, and inclusive governance frameworks. She has widely published in this area. She also advises institutions, governments and other stakeholders, on how legal systems, institutions, and policies can adapt responsibly to technological and social change without undermining fundamental rights or access to justice.

At Africa Health Law, Dr. Genga contributes to our TRAM campaigns that involve research-driven, rights-based approach to legal advisory, advocacy, and policy engagement.

Dr. Shirley has a strong commitment to addressing systemic inequalities and power imbalances across economic, political, social, and cultural spheres. Her work reflects a deep belief that quality legal services must not only meet technical excellence, but also promote fairness, dignity, accountability and justice for all, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Dr. Esther Nafula is a Consulting Partner for Africa Health Law.

She is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist with extensive experience in women’s health, pregnancy care, and minimally invasive gynecological surgery. She currently serves as the Medical Internship Co-ordinator at Avenue Hospital Parklands, where she plays an active role in mentoring and training medical interns and supporting the development of future healthcare professionals.

Dr. Esther holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Medicine (MMed) in Obstetrics and Gynecology from Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. She has developed strong clinical expertise in managing both routine and high-risk obstetric and gynecological cases, with a commitment to delivering safe, evidence-based, and compassionate care to her patients.

Dr. Esther is an active member of several professional associations, including the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, the Kenya Medical Association, and the Kenya Society of Endoscopic Specialties. Through these affiliations, she remains engaged in continuous professional development and advancements in women’s health care.

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Nyambura Nguru is an:

- Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a strong commitment to advancing human rights, particularly in the areas of children’s rights, family law, and international human rights law.

- She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Cape Town, where she specialized in International Rights of the Child, Human Rights, Gender, Family Law, and Intellectual Property.

- She was admitted to the Kenyan Bar in November 2024after completing the Advocates Training Programme at the Kenya School of Law. This was after attaining her Bachelor of Laws from Strathmore University in 2022.

Nyambura combines legal expertise with a deep interest in research, policy, and advocacy. She has written legal blogs for the Strathmore Dispute Resolution Centre, completed two academic dissertations, and contributed to the preparation of various legal presentations.

Her professional experience includes legal practice in law firms such as:

- Kipkenda & Company Advocates,

- R.W. Mbanya & Company Advocates and

- Musyimi & Company Advocates where she sharpened her skills in legal drafting and research.

Her administrative roles at Surety PR & Media strengthened her organisational and coordination skills.

TRAINEE LAWYERS 2026