Susan Nakhumicha is a Kenyan politician and supply chain expert who is the current Cabinet Secretary for Health. She was sworn in as health CS in October 2022, replacing Mutahi Kagwe.
This is her journey as told by WoK:
Early Life
Susan was born in 1979 in Londiani, Kericho County. Her parents were both police officers. After some time, the family moved and settled in Trans Nzoia where she grew up.
As police officers, her parents were constantly on the move due to transfers. Consequently, she was taken up by her maternal uncle, whom she lived with during her primary education.
She sat for her KCPE in Baraton primary school in Kiminini constituency in Trans Nzoia in 1992. When the results came out, she had topped in the Trans-Nzoia district.
Nakhumicha then joined Mary Hill Girls High School, a national school in Thika, where she sat for her KCSE. While there, she was chair of the journalism club.
“I thought I would pursue a career in media,” she told the parliamentary committee during her vetting.
After completing high school, Susan, who was an avid volleyball player, was invited to join the KCB bank volleyball team.
“But my mom refused, saying that one cannot do volleyball for a living,” said Nakhumicha.
She enrolled at the Kenya Medical College (KMTC), where she trained as a pharmaceutical technologist and graduated in 2000. Because her parents could not afford much, Susan engaged in odd jobs to supplement her school fees.
Trailblazing Career
After KMTC, she got a job as a chemist in a pharmaceutical retail store in Nairobi. She also enrolled for an online degree in pharmacy from a Turkish University.
However, despite her qualifications, she was not registered as a pharmacist due to legislation differences between Turkey and Kenya.
Susan then got a job at the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS). At the same time, she enrolled at Jomo Kenyatta University to pursue a degree in procurement and supplies.
When she joined MEDS, she started as a junior operations officer, with her responsibilities being to send medical supplies to faith-based Hospitals in the country.
While there, she realized there were problems in the fulfillment of orders, so she volunteered to work as a procurement officer.
Having completed her degree, she enrolled for a Master’s in procurement, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management at JKUAT. She briefly interned at KEMSA during her master’s for three months.
After seven years, Susan left MEDS, having risen through the ranks to the position of procurement manager.
She then joined the Nairobi Women’s Hospital as head of procurement.
“At NWH, I was in charge of supplying tomatoes, linen, theater, and mortuary equipment,” the mother of two told the parliamentary committee.
In 2016, she quit her job to run for an elective seat as Trans Nzoia women’s rep but was denied a ticket by her party at the nomination levels.
In 2017, she was hired by Global Programs for Research, where she worked before her appointment as CS.
She ran for the women rep seat again in 2022 under Ford Kenya but was beaten by UDA candidate Lilian Chebet.
Family
Details of Nakhumicha’s husband remain scanty as per the publication date of this article. However, she is a mother to two adopted and two biological children.
Net Worth
During her vetting, Nakhumicha disclosed her net worth to be sh 101 million, composed of an Apartment in Syokimau, land in Kangundo, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega, and shares at Cooperative Bank.
She also has shares and deposits in Waumini Sacco and the United Women Sacco.
Salary
According to a 2022 Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) gazette notice, Susan Nakhumicha, as a Cabinet Secretary, is eligible for a basic salary of Ksh 554,400, a house allowance of Ksh.200,000, and a market adjustment of Ksh.169,600, for a total gross salary of Ksh.924,000.
She is also entitled to an official state car with a maximum engine capacity of 3000cc and receives a monthly Airtime benefit of up to Ksh.20,000.
She also receives Medical Benefits, which include an annual medical cover for her husband and up to four children under the age of twenty-five.
The medical benefits are: Inpatient Ksh 10 million, Outpatient Ksh.300,000, Maternity Ksh.150,000, Dental Ksh.75,000, and Optical Ksh.75,000.
Nakhumicha is also eligible for a Ksh.10 million car loan and a Ksh.40 million mortgage.
She is also entitled to a daily subsistence allowance for domestic and international travel in accordance with the rates reviewed and set by SRC from time to time.
