Professor Kawango Agot who recently died will fondly be remembered as an epitome of research in HIV prevention and public health, areas which she devoted most of her life to.
The late Agot was the founder, director and CEO of the Impact Research and Development Organization (IRDO).
Colleagues and friends have reminisced about her passionate advocacy for HIV prevention, saying she was a dedicated mentor to many young researchers and that her research was credible.
Nyanza scholars have particularly paid tribute to the fallen distinguished top research scientist known for her extensive work in HIV prevention and public health for decades.
The scholars led by Dr. Sam Okuro of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University termed the passing of Prof Agot as a significant loss for the research community, particularly in the field of HIV prevention.
“Prof Agot was a distinguished researcher whose work focussed on HIV transmission and the impact of male circumcision on reducing HIV infection rates,’’ he said
Her contributions have been instrumental in shaping HIV prevention strategies in Kenya and beyond where her findings were used to curb the spread of the dreaded disease. She emphasized prevention and management.
“Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations in the fight against HIV/AIDS,’’ said Prof Anne Amadi.
Prof Agot served as the Project Coordinator for a collaborative research project between her university and the universities of Illinois and Manitoba (UNIM).
This project evaluated the effects of male circumcision on HIV transmission among young men, providing critical insights that informed key public health policies in Kenya, Africa and beyond.
In addition to her academic roles, Prof Agot was the founder, director and CEO of the Impact Research and Development Organization (IRDO).
Under her leadership, IRDO conducted nearly 60 research studies and programmes across more than 20 counties in Kenya.
Prof Agot coordinated a groundbreaking trial on voluntary medical male circumcision at the Kisumu site in Western Kenya, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing HIV transmission.
This is after she availed evidence that voluntary male circumcision reduces HIV/Aids infection by 60 per cent. She managed to rally the political class to help residents of Nyanza embrace male circumcision of their own volition.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga then rallied the political leaders and then medical services minister Prof Anyang Nyong’o now Kisumu governor, to urge young people to desist from promiscuous behaviours.
Okuro recalled that her studies covered a range of topics, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV self-testing, and optimizing HIV care outcomes among adolescents and young adults.
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Prof Agot’s work also extended beyond research.
She was deeply committed to community-based initiatives, including the Nyanza Initiative for Girls Education and Empowerment (NIGEE), which she founded to support girls who had dropped out of school due to pregnancy, early marriage or female genital mutilation.
On community-based HIV, Malaria, and TB prevention programmes, she led numerous community-based initiatives aimed at preventing these diseases.
Her sudden passing on August 17, 2024, scientists said left a void in the scientific community.
She was a renowned Kenyan scholar and research scientist and founder, CEO and Secretary to the Board of Impact Research and Development Organization (IRDO).
Dr Agot tragically passed away on 17.08.2024 on her way back to Kenya after attending a two-day writing conference in Zambia.
The researcher was a Fellow of the Africa Academy of Sciences and leaves a glorious record of accomplishment and academic achievement.
Her contribution to humanity was guided by her clarion vision to improve public health and development through research and programmes that leverage community resources.
Her legacy is marked by over 20 years experience in biomedical, epidemiological and behavioural research that significantly shaped the trajectory of HIV prevention in Kenya and internationally.
In collaboration with local and international partners, she implemented over 60 research studies and programmes in more than 20 of the 47 counties of Kenya, with some of the results informing the development or review of HIV prevention policies in the country.
Under the auspices of IRDO, Dr Agot implemented multiple HIV prevention programmes with adolescents and young people (AYP) since 2004, including Tuungane Youth, DREAMS, VMMC, HIV Testing and Counseling, young key populations, among others.
Additionally, she conducted several research studies with AYP on PrEP, HIV self-testing, multi-purpose technologies, and Covid-19 vaccines.
In line with her spirit for philanthropy and her support for the vulnerable, Dr Agot founded Nyanza Initiative for Girls Education and Empowerment (NIGEE), which is known to raise funds to return to school girls who dropped out due to pregnancy, early marriage or female genital mutilation.
Dr Agot’s immense contribution to scientific research, her transformative leadership style and passion for social change will be fondly remembered.
By Fredrick Odiero
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