The Nairobi Women’s Hospital is one of the popular medical facilities in Kenya, known for its specialized focus on women’s health.
The hospital provides a wide range of services, including accident and emergency care, laboratory diagnostics, maternity services, and specialized care for survivors of gender-based violence.
Since its inception in 2001, the facility has expanded to nine branches across various parts of the country.
From a bed capacity of 479, the facility has evolved into a 726-bed hospital group, serving over 365,000 outpatients and 20,000 inpatients annually.
A look into its history revealed that Nairobi Women’s Hospital was founded by Dr. Samuel Maina Thenya, a medical doctor, who also owns other successful companies.
Born in 1968 in Nyakihai, Murang’a County, Dr. Thenya attended Alliance High School before joining the University of Nairobi (UON) to study medicine.
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Narrating his journey in a past interview, he revealed that the idea to start the medical facility was born out of the challenges he witnessed women face as a result of Gender Based Violence(GBV).
Dr. Thenya recalled how he once met a victim of gang rape who needed urgent treatment, but lacked the funds. The incident moved him so deeply that he decided to start a medical facility to address cases of Gender-Based Violence.
In 2000, Hurlingham Hospital was up for auction, and Dr. Thenya attempted to buy it even though he did not have the full amount.
He brought in additional investors who contributed funds for a share of the hospital’s ownership. He relinquished 40 percent of the hospital and secured US$50 million to acquire its assets.
In 2009, he purchased Masaba Hospital in Adams Arcade, making it the second branch of Nairobi Hospital.
Today, the hospital has grown to nine branches in Hurlingham, Adams, Ongata-Rongai, Kitengela, Nakuru Hyrax, Nakuru CBD, Naivasha, Meru, and Mombasa.
Dr. Thenya, who has over the years served as the facility’s Chief Executive Officer, assumed full ownership of the hospital in 2023 after acquiring the majority shareholding of Evercare Health Fund.
Other ventures
Besides the medical facility, Dr. Thenya also owns the Nairobi Women’s Hospital College which he founded in 2011.
The college is approved by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) of Kenya to offer medical programmes at Higher Diploma, Diploma, and Certificate levels.
It was accredited in October 2011 by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) to train nurses under the Kenya Registered Community Development Programmes.
Since its establishment, the college has graduated over 3000 students, many of whom now serve in local, regional, and international markets.
