01 Apr 2009

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Wilkenfeld family are thrilled to announce that Rachel Kitonyo of Kenya is the second annual recipient of the Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence.

The Campaign created the Award to recognize international advocates who have made a major contribution to reducing tobacco use and united and inspired others to do the same, in the spirit exemplified by Judy when she led the Campaign’s international efforts. In the award’s second year, the Campaign received yet another group of outstanding nominees from around the world. The final selection was made by a distinguished panel of international tobacco control experts along with the Wilkenfeld family.

Rachel Kitonyo is a highly deserving recipient of this award. Rachel is a dedicated tobacco control advocate, often navigating politically complex situations to make a real difference. Rachel distinctively demonstrates Judy’s gift of uniting and inspiring people, fostering consensus and nurturing those with whom she works.

Rachel received her legal degree from the University of Nairobi in 2002 and worked as a courtroom lawyer until 2005, when she left practice to establish the Institute for Legislative Affairs (ILA) and currently serves as its Executive Director. The ILA took a leading role in strengthening a tobacco control bill that had been stalled and guided it through Kenya’s Parliamentary approval process. In 2007 ILA succeeded and the bill became Kenya’s Tobacco Control Act, giving Kenya one of the strongest tobacco-control laws in Africa.

Rachel has also been effective at uniting diverse groups in support of tobacco control. Under her leadership in 2006, ILA took a leading role in founding a new umbrella coalition, the Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA); Rachel currently serves on KETCA’s Executive Committee. Rachel is also making a regional impact on African tobacco control, helping draft a constitution in late 2008 for a new African alliance of tobacco-control NGOs that became the African Tobacco Control Alliance, which elected Rachel as its first Chair.

Rachel’s closest colleagues describe her as “purposeful, energetic and passionate.” Like Judy, her integrity, cultural sensitivity and respect for others have enabled her to unite people and create significant change for Kenya.

We at the Campaign are very fortunate to have worked with Judy. And we are grateful to have an exemplary colleague like Rachel Kitonyo who is building on her legacy.

Rachel will be in Washington, DC for the Campaign’s thirteenth annual Youth Advocates of the Year Awards Gala on May 6, 2009 to receive the award. Please visit http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/gala/2009/ for more information.