An avid cyclist and swimmer, Dr Griffins is a member of various national and global committees of experts on public and reproductive health.
When the Starehe Boys alumnus is not somewhere deep in the waters swimming or cycling, he is involved in leading a team of researchers in the public health field. To him, the mantra is “to whom much is given much is expected.”
“I feel that it is expected of me to use best the skills I have acquired to make sure I am of value to people and the community at large.”
And this he has. Through ICRH, he has conducted more than 10 research studies in the field of HIV/Aids, family planning, and other aspects of sexual and reproductive health.
"“My family keeps me grounded as well as the love for what I do because I try to be the best in whatever I do.”"
ICRH is a local non-governmental organisation dealing with research as well as design and implementation of health projects in HIV/Aids, family planning, adolescent health, and sexual and gender-based violence.
“One of our projects, the performance monitoring for action, provide updated data every year to the government on family planning and monitor related activities and achievements in Kenya.”
Dr Griffins joined the organisation in 2016 as deputy director rising to his current position three years later.
One of his research work on young women at high risk of HIV in Mombasa contributed towards the formulation of national guidelines, developed by the National Aids and STIs Control Programme (NASCOP), on the best way of providing adolescents and young people at risk of HIV with similar services.
“My dream all along was to be a doctor. I loved clinical practice but I love to research more because it allows me to be innovative and at the forefront of progressive science.”
The father of two credits the turning point in his career in 2019 when he was appointed to his current position making him transition to a leadership role.
“This moved me from just writing research studies or grants to becoming responsible for people and making sure I lead them in the right direction to get the desired output.”
But to be where he has not been a walk in the park, the director’s journey in medical research began in 2011 when he joined the University of Washington research group working for four years.
He then went for a Master’s in Global Health at the University of Washington and right now he is finalising a PhD in Health Sciences at Gent University, Belgium.
Before that, he graduated with a degree in Medicine and Surgery from Moi University before working as a doctor at Homa Bay District Hospital then being appointed a District Medical Officer for the then Nyamira District.
“My family keeps me grounded as well as the love for what I do because I try to be the best in whatever I do.”
He is into mentorship where he guides young medical doctors to begin a career in research with one of his many mentees being lucky to join the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for a Master’s degree.
COLLINS OMULO
