Ogweno Stephen is a multi-award-winning global public health expert, innovator, and researcher from Kenya whose life’s work is deeply rooted in his personal health journey. Living with the impacts of childhood obesity and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like gastrointestinal reflux disorder and dental complications, Ogweno grew up battling not just physical health challenges, but also the stigma, confusion, isolation and delayed care that many people living with NCDs continue to face. These early encounters with misunderstood illnesses became the fuel behind his life-long mission: to ensure that no one else has to navigate these challenges alone.

Rather than be defined by these challenges, Ogweno, founded Stowelink Foundation in 2016, a youth-led organisation working across more than 10 African countries to improve health literacy, access to diagnosis, and policy for NCDs. His work bridges community action and global policy, blending storytelling, digital health, and advocacy to ensure people living with NCDs are seen, heard, and empowered to lead change. He later launched Lifesten Health, a health tech company focusing on scalable preventive health solutions. Ogweno holds a degree in Public Health from Kenyatta University, a Master’s in Global Health from the University of Manchester, and has studied Sustainability in Business Leadership at the University of Cambridge.

Internationally, Ogweno plays a critical role in shaping international NCD policy, serving in advisory and leadership positions with the World Health Organization, NCD Alliance, and World Obesity Federation that help shape global responses to NCDs. He has authored six books and is a renowned researcher whose work was recognised with the WHO-AFRO Hideyo Noguchi Prize for Young Researchers in 2022. Ogweno has also been recognised as a Top 100 Young African Leader in 2021. Through powerful storytelling, research, innovation, and evidence-based advocacy, Ogweno Stephen continues to ensure lived experience becomes central to global health solutions.

Ogweno is associated with the NCD Alliance of Kenya and Stowelink Foundation.