By Prudence Minayo
Medicine is one of the noblest professions the world over. Doctors are held in very high esteem and rightly so. WoK looks at Kenyan politicians who ditched this profession to join the murky world of politics.
Mishra Kiprop
Mishra Kiprop, dubbed Kiprop Arap Chelule by Kesses residents, is the incumbent member of parliament for Kesses Constituency. He came to Kenya from India in 1977 with his wife. The doctors hoped to make it in the Kenyan since the medical field was very competitive in India.
Upon landing in Kenya, they settled in Eldoret with only USD500. His wife was the first to employed. He worked as a surgeon before being employed as one of the pioneer lectures in the department of reproductive health at Moi University. Together with his wife, he launched the first Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret in 2006.
Today, the hospital has spread its reach beyond Eldoret and was the first in East Africa to perform laparoscopic donor nephrectomy
James Nyikal
Dr. Nyikal pursued medicine at the University of Nairobi and the Monash Medical Center. He worked as an intern at Nyanza General Hospital, now Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. He also served as a medical officer at Homa Bay District Hospital and a paediatrician at Kisii Hospital.
James Nyikal is a second term Member of Parliament for Seme.
Brian Lishenga
Dr. Lishenga is the chairman of Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya and board member at the Medical Advisory. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Nairobi in 2006 and a Master of Science- Medical Physiology in 2013.
He has worked in various top positions at Egerton University and is the co-Founder of NewPoint Hospital. He is vying for the Kakamega senatorial seat.
Boni Khalwale
Boni Khalwale is a veteran Kenyan politician from Western Kenya. He has dominated the political scene since 2002 when he was elected the MP for Ikolomani Constituency.
The politician, known for his bullfighting stints, graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine in 1987.
James Kipkosgei Murgor
Since 2013, he has served as a MP for Keiyo North Constituency. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery and a Masters in Internal medicine from the University of Nairobi.
He worked as a Medical Officer at Kitui, Machakos and Kenyatta National Hospital.
Dr. Robert Pukose
Dr. Pukose pursued a degree in Medicine at the University of Nairobi. It took him 10 years to complete his medical degree. He also pursued a Master’s degree and became a general surgeon at Eldama Ravine and Baringo. He was a superintendent at Kabarnet District Hospital.
In 2012, he left medicine to pursue politics. He was elected the Member of Parliament for Endebess Constituency in 2013 under the United Republican Party (URP).
