Today, September 12th 2026 Mrs Elizabeth Wairimu Kigondu turns 74. Mrs Kigondu is the epitome of a wife, a mother, a great sister, and a wonderfully social human being. She is also the quiet power behind the Kigondu family.Born, bred and raised in Banana, Kiambaa, in Central Kenya, my mother is the daughter of my […]
Happy 74th Birthday, Mrs Elizabeth Wairimu Kigondu — My Mum Read More »
TREATING DISPLACED PEOPLE As a medical doctor, I have had the privilege of treating people who have been displaced from their home countries by war, political instability and conflict. For me, refugees and migrants are therefore not statistics. They are people I have sat with, listened to and treated.Over the years, one thing has become
PAN-AFRICANISM: WE MUST NEVER ALLOW POLITICIANS TO TURN AFRICANS AGAINST AFRICANS Read More »
One of the most under-recognised causes of morbidity and mortality in healthcare is the illusion that a health service is functioning simply because its doors are open.A hospital can be open, patients can be admitted, and a maternity unit can appear operational — yet the service may be dangerously understaffed.In some circumstances, that can be
I was invited by KTN TV to discuss the medico-legal status of misdiagnosis. The producer asked us to discuss what happens in law when there is a misdiagnosis and whether the public is misinformed when interpreting adverse health outcomes. Find my preparation notes. 1. A correct diagnosis depends on a functioning health systemThe starting point
The RUPHA Judgment Does Not Mean That Every Private Health Facility Must Now Pay a Single Business Permit The recent High Court judgment in Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) v the 47 County Governments has understandably caused concern among private health facilities.It is important, however, that members understand precisely what the Court decided—and,
ADVISORY TO RUPHA MEMBERS ON SINGLE BUSINESS PERMIT FEES Read More »
I listened keenly to the Presidential Town Hall at the Kenya Health Summit yesterday. There are achievements in the health reforms that deserve acknowledgement. However, a Health Summit must not become a SHA praise forum. It must also provide an honest account of what is not working and, most importantly, what will be done about
MY REFLECTIONS ON THE KENYA HEALTH SUMMIT 2026 Read More »
There is a painful irony in what is happening in our profession this week.As leaders of National Medical Associations from across Africa gather in Livingstone, Zambia, for the CANMA Leadership Training, supported by the World Medical Association – WMA, eight young health professionals are appearing before a court in neighbouring Uganda.Their alleged offence?According to the
RELEASE THE UGANDA 8 MEDICAL INTERNS #UMA8 – THEY ARE ASKING FOR THEIR DUE Read More »
You do not choose the route always Today I did a 17-kilometre bike ride, but I approached it differently from my usual rides. Normally, I prefer to start with the climb. I do the difficult part while I still have strength, gain altitude, then enjoy the easier descent on the way back. Today, the route
Engage the Hardest Gear – Life lessons from a bike ride Read More »
Nothing illustrates the contradictions in Kenya’s social health insurance system better than the story of JM—not his real name.JM was involved in a road traffic accident and suffered a serious fracture involving the head of his femur. He was in severe pain and required urgent orthopaedic intervention.On paper, JM is insured.He personally pays his annual
THE ORTHOPAEDICS DILEMMA: WHEN THE PATIENT HAS INSURANCE BUT CANNOT GET TREATMENT Read More »
Who benefits from new government levies?One of the questions that increasingly occupies my mind whenever a new government levy, contribution or mandatory payment is introduced is not simply how much money will be collected, but who ultimately benefits from collecting and administering it. The Vendor ModelThere appears to be a recurring pattern in the current
