The Be in the KNOW team

Lisa Owino is a lawyer by profession and a communicator by nature. She is a Pan Africanist passionate about sexual and reproductive health justice. Lisa  brings six years’ experience in movement building to champion health rights issues including HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. She is the Programme Coordinator for Be in the KNOW - coordinating the Be in the KNOW team to ensure use of the Be in the KNOW multi-digital communications platforms 

What would you have wanted to know about HIV and sexual health as a teenager?

More than anything, I wish I knew that sex and sexuality are not shameful things and talking about it is good. There are so many questions I didn’t ask because I didn’t know open, non-judgemental spaces where I could access information in a sex-positive way.  If I understood more about consent, I could have better supported my friends when they were struggling.

Michael Okun Oliech is a highly experienced and creative communication expert with over eight years of expertise in both digital and traditional media. Currently, he is serving as the Digital Communications Lead for Kenya Comms Hub, where he creates digital content and disseminates HIV and sexual health information on Be in the KNOW platforms. He possesses a deep understanding of digital media and effective campaign strategies, which allows him to excel at driving engagement across various digital channels. Michael is a true team player who consistently delivers impactful results while fostering collaboration and growth. 

What would you have wanted to know about HIV and sexual health as a teenager?

I wish I had known that HIV is not a death sentence and that with the right treatment, people can live long and healthy lives. I would have wanted honest, clear information about how to protect myself, the importance of consent, and how to have safe relationships without fear or shame.   

I also wish someone had told me that talking about sexual health is normal and that asking questions doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. If more young people had open, judgment-free spaces to learn, we’d all make better, safer choices about our health. 

Martha Kombe is a strategic programming expert in public health and a digital media communicator passionate about helping communities live healthier and more sustainable lives. She is the Paid Marketing and Community Building Coordinator at Be in the KNOW, bringing over six years of experience working with government bodies and stakeholders in reproductive health and NCD sectors. She has driven successful health initiatives for adolescents and young people and was recognized for her contributions to Sexual Reproductive Health and Family Planning in Nairobi County by the Ministry of Health, as well as her digital advocacy work. 

What would you have wanted to know about HIV and sexual health as a teenager?

Growing up, I had so many questions, but no safe space to ask them. Conversations about sex, HIV, and relationships were either whispered in fear or loaded with warnings that left me more confused than informed. I wish someone had sat me down and told me: “Testing isn’t just for ‘those people’” for some reason there was a silent fear around getting tested, as if the act of testing meant you had done something wrong. I wish I had known that knowing your status is an act of self-care, not a punishment. It’s like checking your health, the same way you would for malaria or blood pressure.

Tinashe Madamombe is an experienced communications and project management professional with expertise in strategic communications, advocacy, and social change initiatives across Zimbabwe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the UK, Ireland, and the USA. Tinashe has led high-impact social media campaigns, collaborated with community health workers, women’s rights activists and supported projects that have reached millions across Sub-Saharan Africa. As the Content Editor at Kenya Comms Hub, Tinashe contributes to health behavior change initiatives by crafting impactful digital content. She holds an MSc in International Public Policy and Diplomacy and an Executive Diploma in Project Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation. Her work combines a strong commitment to advocacy, feminism,  cross-cultural communication, and creative content, making her a key contributor to driving social change. 

What would you have wanted to know about HIV and sexual health as a teenager?

I would have wanted to know that it’s okay to talk about sexual health and ask questions without fear or shame. I wish I had learned more about HIV stigma early on, so I could educate others on the harm it causes. Understanding that HIV isn’t just about risk but also about rights, treatment, and living a full life would have helped me make more informed choices and support others better. 

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