Dr. Michael N. Walekhwa is a public health scientist, institutional leader, and governance practitioner with over fifteen years of experience at the intersection of science, technology, and national development systems in Kenya. His career spans the full continuum from bench science to boardroom governance an unusual combination that makes him equally effective as a researcher, a regulator, and an institutional strategist.
He holds doctoral and master's qualifications in Medical Immunology and Infectious Diseases from Kenyatta University, an MBA in Strategic Management from Kabarak University, and completed the Senior Management Course at the Kenya School of Government. He is also a Quality Management Systems expert (ISO 9001:2015) certified by KEBS a credential he has applied directly in reducing NQCL's sample turnaround time from 75 to 42 days.
His work spans research governance, innovation ecosystem development, resource mobilisation, commercialisation systems, and science and regulatory policy. He serves on the Board of Management of the National Quality Control Laboratory, chairs its Technical, Standards and Compliance Committee, and sits on the Operational Research Committee of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
As the founding Secretary of the Kabarak University Research Ethics Committee (KUREC), he achieved full NACOSTI accreditation within 18 months establishing Kenya's newest nationally accredited institutional ethics review body. He has authored three academic texts, produced over 40 peer-reviewed publications, and supervised twelve researchers to completion.
Research Governance & Ethics
Innovation Ecosystem Development
Start-Up Incubation & Commercialisation
Resource Mobilisation & Grants
Science, Technology & Innovation Policy
Board Governance & Regulatory Compliance
Institutional Leadership & Strategic Planning
Scientific Communication & Publishing
