Dr. Samuel Mwaniki

Samuel Mwaniki is a Kenyan public health researcher whose work centers on HIV and sexually transmitted infections among young men who have sex with men in Nairobi. His scholarship integrates epidemiology and qualitative inquiry to examine prevalence, risk factors, and lived experiences of marginalized populations. Through projects such as Project BESPOKE, he has advanced context-sensitive approaches to studying hidden populations in tertiary institutions.

His research highlights barriers to healthcare access, stigma within clinical settings, and the need for culturally competent, affirming services. By combining respondent-driven sampling, bio-behavioral surveys, and in-depth interviews, he has generated evidence to inform tailored HIV/STI prevention, digital health strategies, and provider training interventions aimed at improving equitable care for young key populations.

Earlier work addressed HIV testing uptake, pharmacy-based interventions, and acute HIV detection strategies in Kenya, alongside initial studies in agricultural science. This trajectory reflects methodological breadth and a sustained commitment to strengthening health systems responses, influencing policy dialogue on inclusive HIV prevention and service delivery in East Africa.