Dr. Stephen Okelo, MD, MMed

President, College of Anaesthesiologists of East, Central and Southern Africa (CANECSA)

Consultant Anaesthesiologist and Critical Care Physician

Lecturer, Maseno University School of Medicine, Kenya

Dr. Stephen Okelo is a consultant anaesthesiologist and critical care physician with extensive experience in clinical practice, education, and leadership across East, Central, and Southern Africa. He was elected President of the College of Anaesthesiologists of East, Central and Southern Africa (CANECSA) in 2025 and is deeply committed to advancing anaesthesia education, training, and professional standards throughout the region.vBefore assuming the presidency of CANECSA, Dr. Okelo served in multiple leadership roles within CANECSA, including Chair of the Education and Scientific Committee, and as a member of both the Council and Executive Committee. His leadership has been pivotal in strengthening anaesthesia curricula, mentoring faculty, and expanding access to high-quality anaesthesia training programs.

He is also a Lecturer in the Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology at Maseno University, Kenya, where he teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate students, integrating didactic instruction, clinical clerkships, and simulation-based training. Previously, he served as President of the Kenya Society of Anaesthesiologists (KSA), contributing to national advocacy and capacity building for the anaesthesia profession.

Dr. Okelo is a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Integrated Clinical Care (TAG-IC2), where he contributes to discussions on perioperative care, patient safety, and health workforce development. He has facilitated numerous faculty development and medical education programs across Africa, training anaesthesiologists in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ghana.

A graduate of Moi University School of Medicine, Dr. Okelo earned his Master of Medicine in Anaesthesia from the University of Nairobi, followed by advanced training in Cardiac Anaesthesia at Ain Shams University, Cairo. He is a Fellow of CANECSA and has completed additional professional development in medical education, simulation-based learning, and leadership development.

Driven by a passion for equitable access to safe anaesthesia and surgical care, Dr. Okelo continues to collaborate with regional and international partners to develop sustainable strategies for strengthening the anaesthesia workforce and improving perioperative services across the ECSA region.