Nursing remains a noble career whose foundation was laid by Florence Nightingale who played a crucial during the 1853 Crimean war. Nightingale pioneered principles of modern nursing as she advocated for hygienic conditions after she observed more soldiers succumbing to cholera and other water borne diseases due to the deplorable conditions of hospitals.
In Kenya, the nursing profession has seen immense growth in recent years as observed by the hundreds of institutions that offer training. Many Kenyan nurses have dared to dream and are renowned personalities whose success in humanity and entrepreneurship is worth mentioning.
In this article, WoK recognises Kenyan nurses who have conquered beyond Kenyan borders.
Veronicah Mumira
She is a lady who wears many hats and began her career in Australia where she worked as an obstetric nurse. Mumira is a cofounder of Auscare International College, which has recently opened a training centre in Nyali, Mombasa.
The institution basically offers training that goes into improving the lives of the disabled, elderly, drug addicts among others. Mumira has also invested real estate and owns the Georgia Luxury Apartments, a seven floor building with 36 parking bays, 28 three-bedroomed apartments and a 5 bedroom penthouse.
The state of the art structure has a rooftop swimming pool and the 3 bedrooms go for 17.5-24 million while the penthouse costs 95 million shillings.
Mercy Wasike
Mercy Wasike made history when she ascended to a high leadership echelon in UK’s National Hospital Trust (NHS). In May 2022, she became the first Kenyan to be appointed a Deputy Chief Nurse at the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital.
Wasike studied education at Kenyatta University before she relocated to the UK and enrolled for a Diploma in Nursing at the University of Brighton. She has had numerous achievements and gradually scaled the professional ladder.
On LinkedIn, she dots herself as a ‘senior culturally competent and inclusive nurse leader’. She also details her competencies in strategic leadership, workforce transformation, clinical practice, education and mentorship.
Simiyu Paul
Simiyu Paul is the proverbial pauper to prince who is the founder of KenyanNurse agency. The firm helps novice nurses in realizing their overseas dream. Simiyu who comes from a humble background in Trans-Nzoia County has successfully helped over 1000 nurses relocate to the UK.
Basically, his agency helps nurses in English proficiency (IELTS) training, booking of examinations, conducting job searches and a number of other processes.
Anna Qabale
In May 2022, Kenyan nurse, Anna Qabale who hails from the humble village of Torbi in Marsabit won the prestigious Aster Guardian Global Nursing Award in Dubai.
This saw her walk away with a whooping USD 250000 (Ksh 29 Million) after emerging victorious in a contest that saw over 24000 nurses across the globe participate. As a sequel to her huge win, Qabale was also feted during the 2022 Mashujaa Day celebrations as a national heroine.
Qabale’s moving story is best described by Martin Luther’s words: “out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” At a young age, she underwent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and was almost married off at 14 years old. Luckily, she was privileged to get educated thanks to being a lastborn.
She incepted Qabale Duba Foundation in a move to help women and girls in her village to beat poverty and get educated. The foundation which operates the Torbi Pioneer Academy conducts various community services including donation of sanitary pads and emancipating women from illiteracy.
