Meet Our Board Members
John Weru
ChairPerson
Dr. John Weru is an Assistant Professor of Palliative Medicine at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUHN). He is the leader of the Palliative Care Team at the Aga Khan University Hospital and the Chairperson the East African Palliative Care Steering Committee charged with developing palliative care services in the region within the Aga Khan Health Services. He is the chairperson of the board of Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA). Dr. Weru is a reviewer with the Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer and sub editor with the Open Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He is the chairperson of the Hospital Ethics committee at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.
Dr. Meshack Liru
Vice Chair
Dr. Meshack Liru is the head pediatrician and child health specialist at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital in Homa Bay County, Kenya. He is the newly appointed Deputy director in charge of curative and rehabilitative services in the County. He is also the team leader of Homa Bay Palliative Care Unit and a Board Member of Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA). He is committed to providing quality care to children by reducing childhood morbidity and mortality both by providing high-quality patient care through operational research on common childhood diseases. He is the team leader for Sickle Cell Anaemia optimal care in Homa Bay.
Mrs. Ruth N. Were
Honorary Secretary
Ruth N.Were is the current Chief Executive Officer at Nairobi Hospice and serving on the Board of KEHPCA as the Hon secretary. Before being named as the CEO in January 2017, Ruth was the former Director of Nursing Services at Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Nairobi with a capacity of 140 beds responsible for all of the Hospitals Nursing Care practices for both in and outpatients; overseeing a staff compliment of 250 employees in the department ( Nurses & support staff). Played a key role in improving nursing systems in the hospital including the setting up of the Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and Satelitte clinics to full operational capacity.
Mr. Ben Mandi
Honorary Treasurer
Mr. Ben Mandi is a finance and business specialist, a Certified Public Accountant with a BSc in Business Administration. He has had long experience in his field in audit, financial management, consultancy and training. He has particular interest in the creation of awareness, and the treatment and care, of childhood cancers having had firsthand experience of the same within his family. He has recently joined KEHPCA as the Honorary Treasurer.
Mr. Mohamud Jama Madhar
Board Member
Mr. Mohamud Jama Madhar is a Kenyan businessman. He has served as a Councillor in the Municipal Council of Eldoret and also as Vice Chairman of The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), an organization that acts as the umbrella body of all Muslim Organizations, societies, mosque committees and groups.
Mr. Jama Mahdar is currently the Chairman of Eldoret Hospice and also a Board Member Of Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA).
Saraphina Gichohi
Board Member
Saraphina Gichohi HSC is a Kenya Registered Nurse with specialty in Palliative Care. She is the Director of Nursing Services at the Outspan Teaching and Referral Hospital and also coordinates Oncology and Palliative Care services at the Hospital. She has over twenty years’ experience in Palliative care and Palliative care training in institutions of higher learning. She holds a Higher Diploma in Palliative Care from Oxford Brookes University- UK and a Masters Degree in Palliative Care from the University of Dundee- Scotland among other qualifications.
Elizabeth Ndungu
Board Member
Elizabeth is the CEO and Founder of Nakuru Hospice
Her academic qualification is Masters of Business Administration (Entrepreneurship), Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) and Higher Diploma in Project Management. She has a wealth of experience in finance and administration, human recourse management, capacity building, Cooperative management, microfinance and Project Monitoring and Evaluation. Elizabeth has a wealth of experience of over 35 years in various sectors. She started employment as an auditor in the public service back in 1987. She has worked in the banking industry for not less than 8 years. Thereafter worked for International and local NGOs since 1997 to 2008. In year 2009 she started Nakuru Hospice in Nakuru County to provide palliative care to people suffering from chronic illnesses that are not likely to be cured. This was after an experience of seeing her father who had prostate cancer and the whole family suffered emotional psychological physical and financial challenges as a caregiver. She succeeded to mobilize Nakuru Community and the Government Ministry of health to establish an institution that has improved the quality of life of many patients. Currently she has managed to establish sustainable integrated palliative care between Nakuru Hospice and Nakuru Level 5 Hospital
Christopher Kyalo
Board Member
Christopher Kyalo is a career soldier and a professional nurse specialized in Palliative care at the Kenya Defense Forces Memorial Hospital having served in the Defense forces for over 30 years. He is an exhibiting member of the Hospital Tumour board and doubles as the Head of the Palliative care Unit. He is also a Board Member of the Kenya Hospices and Palliative care Association (KEHPCA). He is pursuing his passion in Palliative care at Makerere University at Bachelor of science level.
