The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) has awarded an honorary degree to Dr. Nduku Kilonzo – CEO Yemaya Group, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to global health over the past twenty years.
Dr. Kilonzo has dedicated her career to strengthening health systems that serve some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Working with government agencies and NGOs across the globe, she has skillfully combined research expertise with policy development and decisive leadership to drive meaningful, lasting change.
A Homecoming Celebration
The honorary degree was presented during LSTM’s 2025 graduation ceremony at Liverpool’s historic St George’s Hall, marking a special homecoming for Dr. Kilonzo, who earned her PhD from LSTM in 2007.
Since completing her doctorate, Dr. Kilonzo has established herself as a leading voice in global health, serving on more than 15 international panels and commissions. Her work has included collaborations with UN/Lancet Commissions, the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, and the Global Fund. She currently serves as co-Chairperson of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition and has helped mobilize over US$1 billion for health initiatives throughout her career.
Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation
Accepting the award, Dr. Kilonzo expressed her gratitude: “I am deeply, immensely grateful and humbled to accept this award from LSTM, my alma mater.”
She offered inspiring advice to the graduating students, encouraging them to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in an evolving global health landscape.
“Whatever you do and whatever you choose to pursue, you must be willing to go beyond your comfort zone,” she told the graduates. “Stretch yourself and apply your energy and talent with opportunities everywhere. Find courage to change the things you can. Embrace being human, but keep working. Practice gratitude. And above all, leave this world a better place. I wish you a fulfilling and purposeful tomorrow.”
Transformative Impact in Kenya
Dr. Kilonzo’s honorary degree particularly recognizes her groundbreaking work in Kenya. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as an advisor to the Cabinet Secretary of Health and chaired critical national committees. Her leadership drove innovative public-private reforms that achieved a remarkable tenfold increase in oxygen production, from 3 million to 35 million litres per day.
As CEO of the National AIDS Control Council, Dr. Kilonzo spearheaded the development of Kenya’s HIV Prevention Roadmap, which has influenced HIV programming globally. Under her stewardship, Kenya achieved a 51% reduction in HIV incidence while treatment coverage increased by 60%.
A True Global Health Leader
Professor Miriam Taegtmeyer, who first worked with Dr. Kilonzo in Kilifi on Kenya’s coast in 2001, introduced the honoree at the ceremony. She praised Dr. Kilonzo’s unwavering commitment to gender equity and her transformative impact on health systems.
“Nduku exemplifies the qualities of a true global health leader: courageous, bold, decisive, and deeply compassionate,” Professor Taegtmeyer said. “Through every step of her career, Nduku has always championed equity, rigour and impact.”
She continued: “Our mission at LSTM is to deliver research and education that benefits the world’s most disadvantaged populations. We, as an LSTM community, are immensely privileged to be able to award an honorary degree to you, as someone who brings practical meaning to our mission through your focus on health and social impacts at the highest level.”
