Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu Elected World Medical Association President-Elect for 2025/26

Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu, former President of the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), has been elected as the President-elect of the World Medical Association (WMA) for the 2025/26 term. Her election was announced on October 19, 2024, following a competitive vote at the 75th WMA General Assembly held in Helsinki, Finland.

Dr. Kitulu secured 100 votes, outpacing her rival, Prof. Caldas Alfonso from the Portuguese Medical Association, who received 24 votes. This achievement is notable as the WMA represents 115 national medical associations and over nine million physicians globally.

Dr. Kitulu holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nairobi and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Strathmore Business School. Her medical career began in 1999 as a clinical officer, progressing to a role as a casualty medical officer at Nairobi Hospital in 2001.Over the years, she has held key positions in both national and international medical institutions. From 2008 to 2012, Dr. Kitulu served as the National Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Women’s Association. She later joined the Kenya Medical Association in 2012 as Assistant National Secretary and became National Vice Chair in 2014. In 2016, she was elected KMA President, serving until 2020.

Dr. Kitulu has contributed to various organizations, including the United States Embassy in Kenya, where she worked as a panel physician. She has also been deeply involved with the Kenya Red Cross for over 12 years in different capacities, such as Deputy Governor and Finance Committee member.Her expertise extends to governance roles, having chaired the Finance Committee at the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) between 2018 and 2021. She has also served as Director at Emergency Plus Medical Services and Vice Chair of the Kenya Consumer Protection Advisory Committee.Additionally, she chaired the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) from January 2020 to January 2023. In recognition of her contributions to healthcare, Dr. Kitulu was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2021.

As she prepares to take office in 2025, for the WMA term. She aims to strengthen inter-regional cooperation to address healthcare disparities and promote robust primary healthcare systems. Dr. Kitulu is also committed to mentoring young physicians and fostering a transparent, compassionate, and sustainable global healthcare workforce.

Her election highlights Kenya’s growing influence in the global medical arena and reflects Dr. Kitulu's extensive experience and dedication to advancing healthcare on a global scale.