ROBERTS ELOTO ABOK
Lodwar
Summary
Public Health Leader with 20 years of experience in Health, Nutrition, and WASH programs across Kenya and Madagascar. Proven expertise in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH & FP), with a strong focus on policy advocacy and health systems strengthening. Successfully led multi-million-dollar initiatives at Save the Children, driving significant improvements in maternal and child health indicators in marginalized communities. Skilled in strategic leadership, donor engagement, and building sustainable partnerships to enhance health outcomes for women and children.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
National Head of Child Survival (Health, Nutrition and WASH)
Save the Children
11.2023 - 05.2025
- Company Overview: Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar Country Office
- Provided strategic leadership in designing and implementing high-quality, innovative programs to improve child survival, maternal health, and nutrition.
- Shaped national policies, secured funding, and fostered cross-sectoral integration with education, child protection, and child rights governance.
- Led technical teams, drove advocacy, and ensured program scalability in both humanitarian and development contexts.
- Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar Country Office
- Led the design and execution of Country Strategic Plan 2025-2027 including Health, Nutrition & WASH strategies aligned with Save the Children’s Global Strategy.
- Spearheaded HN&W strategy for Kenya & Madagascar, aligning with Save the Children’s global goals and securing multi-year funding from bilateral donors, foundations, and institutional partners.
- Drove innovative, cost-effective programming across humanitarian and development contexts, ensuring sustainable impact on child survival.
Technical Lead - RMNCAH/FP/WASH Programme
USAID Ampath Uzima Programme
Trans Nzoia County
11.2021 - 10.2022
- Supported the COP in the set up and management of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, Nutrition (RMNCAHN) and WASH mainly in Trans-Nzoia County.
- Provided Leadership and Supporting to USAID AMPATH UZIMA programme planning and implementation and FP RMNCAHN integration and requisite programme reporting.
- During period- 2 facilities achieved Comprehensive emergency Obstetric and newborn Care (CeMONC) service level able to offer lifesaving surgical services.
- Two health bills were finalized and passed by Trans Nzoia County Assembly (CHS and Sanitation bills).
County Chief Officer- Health Services and Sanitation
Turkana County Government
Turkana County
09.2018 - 11.2021
- Exercised fiscal oversight under the County Government Act, managing budgets across three departments—Health Services & Sanitation, Public Works, and Public Service.
- Supervised 7 directors and 1,360 staff, ensuring alignment with county goals.
- Established four new directorates, transforming Turkana’s health governance structure and improving service delivery.
- Achieved 96% fully immunized children through expanded cold chain infrastructure.
- Skilled deliveries surged from 36% to 65%, and 4th antenatal care visits hit a historic 66.3%.
Health Specialist (Maternal, Child and Newborn)
UNICEF
Turkana, Samburu, West Pokot and Baringo
06.2015 - 09.2018
- Company Overview: UNICEF Kenya Country Office
- Provided technical support to strengthen health sector leadership and improve Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) coordination.
- Supported health system investments, focusing on infrastructure upgrades in 20 MNCH Centers of Excellence.
- UNICEF Kenya Country Office
- Trained 135 health workers on the Leadership Development Programme.
- Achieved 100% community unit coverage, 70% functionality, and 80% reporting rates.
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Fistula Surgeon
Turkana County Government
Lodwar
03.2014 - 06.2015
- Spearheaded reproductive health services, significantly improving maternal care through high-risk case management and emergency obstetric surgeries.
- Established and supervised cervical cancer screening programs while training medical officers and nurses.
- Successfully repaired over 150 VVF/RVF cases through collaborative camps with AMREF and Freedom from Fistula Foundation.
- Implemented specialized obstetric training programs that reduced maternal complications.
District Medical Services Officer (DMSO)
Turkana County Government
Lodwar
07.2012 - 02.2014
- Provided strategic leadership for all Level 4 health facilities in Turkana County.
- Spearheaded the development and implementation of annual work plans for county health facilities.
- Operationalized Turkana's first satellite blood donor center at the referral hospital.
- Established quarterly medical outreach programs that now bring specialized maternal health services to the county.
Education
Master of Medicine - Obstetrics and Gynaecology
University of Nairobi
02-2012
University of Nairobi Medical School
05-2005
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Lodwar High School
11-1995
Master of Science - GLOBAL HEALTH
KJUAT
Skills
- Strategic leadership and management
- Advocacy and policy support
- Technical competence
- Execution and implementation
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Budgeting and resource allocation
- Program design and formulation
- Quality program development
- Health systems strengthening
- Communication and advocacy strategies
- Program monitoring and learning
- Public health advocacy initiatives
- Community engagement strategies
- Policy implementation and analysis
- Donor report preparation
- Documentation of lessons learned
- Interdisciplinary collaboration skills
- Health program development expertise
- Resource mobilization techniques
- Training and mentorship programs
- Team management skills
- Public health advocacy
- Health program development
- Strategic leadership
- Policy implementation
- Community engagement
Affiliations
- Immediate National Chairperson of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) committee of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS)
- Member of Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS)
- Member of Kenya Medical Association (KMA)
- Rotary Foundation
- Chairperson Lodwar High School Old Boys Association (LOBA)
References
- Dr. Tewodros Gebremichael, Global Health and Nutrition Advisor, Save the Children International, Tewodros.Gebremichael@savethechildren.org
- Dr. Rory Nefdt, Senior Health Advisor, UNICEF HQ, rnefdt@unicef.org
- Prof. Koigi Kamau, Former Chairman - Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nairobi, 0722714402
Timeline
National Head of Child Survival (Health, Nutrition and WASH)
Save the Children
11.2023 - 05.2025
Technical Lead - RMNCAH/FP/WASH Programme
USAID Ampath Uzima Programme
11.2021 - 10.2022
County Chief Officer- Health Services and Sanitation
Turkana County Government
09.2018 - 11.2021
Health Specialist (Maternal, Child and Newborn)
UNICEF
06.2015 - 09.2018
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Fistula Surgeon
Turkana County Government
03.2014 - 06.2015
District Medical Services Officer (DMSO)
Turkana County Government
07.2012 - 02.2014
Master of Medicine - Obstetrics and Gynaecology
University of Nairobi
University of Nairobi Medical School
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Lodwar High School
Master of Science - GLOBAL HEALTH
KJUAT
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