H.E. Amb. Dr. Cleopa Mailu, EBS, has been elected as the Chair of the 2020 Meeting of States Parties to the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BWC). States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention have approved the appointment. The Meeting of State Parties is the apex decision making organ of the Convention. Kenya aligns to the Non-Allied Movement (NAM). NACOSTI congratulates Amb. Dr. Mailu as his appointment affirms Kenya’s credentials in the area of disarmament and international peace and security, as well as the greater Science and Technology ecosystem.
As a result of prolonged efforts by the international community to establish a new instrument that would supplement the 1925 Geneva Protocol, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, better known as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), was opened for signature on 10 April 1972. Throughout the intervening years, States Parties have met at five yearly intervals to review the operation of the BWC. NACOSTI is the National Focal Point for BWC, leading national implementation of Kenya’s obligations and commitments under the Convention.
Amb. Dr. Mailu was appointed earlier this year by President Uhuru Kenyatta to head to Geneva as the Kenya’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. He has served previously in government as the Cabinet Secretary for Health.
Dr. Cleopa Mailu, EBS, holds an MBChB from the University of Nairobi; MSc (Med. Sci) in Genetics from the University of Glasgow and is an alumni of the Strathmore University/ IESE University of Navarra Advanced Management Program.
Dr. Mailu started his career as a Medical Officer at Kenyatta National Hospital where he rose to the position of Consultant Geneticist and Quality Assurance Manager. He later joined the Ministry of Health and worked as EPI Manager, Director Division of Family Health and Director Health Sector Reform Program. Thereafter, Dr. Mailu worked with WHO and UNICEF on local and international assignments.
An active leader in the wider community, Dr. Mailu has served in various capacities in diverse organizations such as Vice Chairman – Kenya Coordinating Mechanism Global Fund, Chairman – Machakos University Council, Chairman – FKE, Council Member – Inoorero University Council, Director – Consolidated Bank and Board Member – Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Chairman – Medicine Chapter UON Alumni Association, amongst others. He has also provided leadership as Chairman and Member Board of Governors of several schools.