Dr. Brian Makamu Lishenga (MBCHB, MSC, MFMED) – Chairman
Dr Brian Lishenga is the Founding Chairman of the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA), an association of over 380 private hospitals and medical centres offering care in the remotest parts of Kenya as well as many medically underserved urban communities. RUPHA is a member of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
Dr Lishenga is a former Associate Dean (2013-2019) and Dean of Faculty (2019-2021), Faculty of Health Sciences, Egerton University.
A recipient of the University of Edinburgh Rural Communities Initiatives (RCI) Scholarship in Family Medicine, Dr Lishenga is passionate about Primary Healthcare and the transformative power of small business in reshaping healthcare. Between 2015-2020, Dr Lishenga was a Technical Advisor on Health facilities improvement to the County Government of Trans Nzoia. Furthermore, from April to November 2020, he was the Project Manager for the Kshs 1Billion, 150 bed-critical care United Nations/Nairobi COVID-19 Treatment Centre. He led a multinational team to deliver a regional centre of excellence for the treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients in 12 weeks.
Dr Lishenga holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery (UoN), a Masters Degree in Medical Physiology (UoN) and a Master of Family Medicine (University of Edinburg).
Joseph Kariuki – Deputy Chairman
Rev. Joseph kariuki is a passionate family man, entrepreneur and a community enthusiast. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Transformational Leadership from Pan Africa Christian University in Nairobi. He is a co-founder and director of Favour Medical Services Ltd, a 25 bed capacity hospital in Isinya, Kajiado county. He is married with two young adults and the lead pastor of House of Grace Church Syokimau. He loves new technology and innovation in medicine, sports and adventures.
Daisy Adalla – Treasurer
Daisy is an entrepreneur and adept to strategies in business, she is the director of Mother and Child Hospital in Eastleigh.
Pacifica Omambia – Assistant Treasurer
Madam Pacifica Omambia is administrative officer holder of higher Diploma in Business administration, Ass. Treasurer Rupha, proprietor Vostrum Medical Center since 2011, She worked at Masaba Hospital now Nairobi Women hospital from 1993 to 2008 and Kenya Posts & Telecommunication now Telkom Kenya from from 1993 to 2011.
Mr Mohamud Amin Ali- Ex-officio Member
Mr. Mohamud was born and schooled in western Kenya before proceeding to study Engineering in Turkey. Having worked in Turkey for a while, he decided to come back home to develop his home country. He has worked in several industries in the past 18 years, this includes: Manufactering, Heavy commercial logistics, Building and Construction, real estate and the health sectors. He is the current co-director of Bungoma Chemist and the Managing Director of Elgon View Premier Hospital(Trading as New Elgon View Medical Cottage Ltd). He is responsible for turning around a loss making hospital business into profitability and transforming it from a level 3 facility to a level 5 facility in under three years, while also improving its revenue 6 fold.
Dr Stephen Ojwang – Deputy Secretary General
A change catalyst created to empower others to reach their full potential inorder to transform the communities around them. A dedicated professional, wholesome entrepreneur, Consultant radiologist who has benefited from experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team in Kenya and other countries within different systems and administrations, thereby gaining a good understanding of varying technological and cultural issues.
A result oriented leader and mentor who possesses empathic, Christ-cantered philosophy of care with practical, clinical, observational and interpersonal skills, achieving objectives in offering world class service to patients and the general public
Stephanie Koczela -Secretary General
Stephanie is the CEO and co-founder at Penda Health. Penda Health is one of the largest outpatient private healthcare company in Kenya. Their high-tech solution for primary care combines 19 tech-enabled medical centers, home based care, drug delivery, and a robust telemedicine service to provide patients with quality, convenience and affordability. Stephanie has been building Penda for the last ten years.
Before that she expanded Kiva, an innovative micro finance lender, across Africa. After supporting Kiva’s operations in more than 10 countries, she took what she learned in Africa and built operating systems for all the regions in which Kiva operates around the world. Prior to Kiva she built a small social retail company in Kenya and did some work in Education in Mathare.
Stephanie’s experiences working in Mathare brought her close to many instances where low-income families were navigating the healthcare system. These experiences have made her a passionate advocate for tech-enabled primary care.
Cynthia Munene – CEO
Cynthia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Co-operatives and Community Development (Cooperative University) and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), She is pursuing a Master’s degree in Cooperative Management focusing on role of cooperatives in broadening healthcare access. She is a recipient of the WINRACK Project Scholarship Award for the Master’s Project. In this capacity, she seeks to understand the challenges faced by women in the cooperative sector in post-COVID-19 recovery. Ultimately the WINRACK Project aims to contribute to meaningful initiatives that uplift and empower communities. Driven by a profound passion for community development, Cynthia embodies the ethos of servant leadership. Her visionary approach and collaborative mindset enable her to navigate complex challenges and drive sustainable change.
