Founded in 2001, Nairobi Women’s Hospital (NWH) has expanded from a bed capacity of 479 to nine branches. Dr. Samuel Maina Thenya founded the hospital and has served as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since its inception.
The Nairobi Women’s Hospital is now a 726-bed hospital group serving over 365,000 outpatients and 120,000 inpatients annually.
NWH currently operates branches in Hurlingham, Adams, Ongata-Rongai, Kitengela, Nakuru Hyrax, Nakuru CBD, Naivasha, Meru, and Mombasa.
Thenya assumed full ownership of the hospital in 2023 after acquiring the majority shareholding of Evercare Health Fund.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he is a medical doctor, entrepreneur, and founder of many successful companies.
He is also a motivational speaker, coach, and mentor to numerous entrepreneurs.
Background and Personal Life
Dr. Sam Thenya was born in 1968 in Nyakihai, Murang’a County.
He is the seventh born in a family of eight and initially dreamt of becoming a pilot, but eventually pursued medicine.
Thenya completed his A levels at Alliance High School before attending the University of Nairobi (UON) to study medicine.
He is married to Dorothy, and they are blessed with two daughters, Wakarima and Wanjiru.
He received the Eisenhower Fellowship Award in 2008 and Kenya’s 2010 Health Professional of the Year Award.
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Founding Nairobi Women’s Hospital
Dr. Thenya established the hospital to address cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
He met a woman who was a victim of gang rape and needed urgent treatment, but lacked the funds.
This incident moved Thenya deeply, leading him to found a centre where GBV victims could receive free treatment.
He suggested this to his employer, who advised him to start his own health facility to implement the idea.
This motivated him to establish Nairobi Women’s Hospital.
Acquisition of Other Hospitals and NWH’s Growth
In 2000, Hurlingham Hospital was up for auction, and Dr. Thenya attempted to buy it.
Unable to raise the full amount, he brought in additional investors who contributed funds for a share of the hospital’s ownership.
He relinquished 40% 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.
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College
In 2011, the hospital founded the Nairobi Women’s Hospital College.
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.
The college partners with key stakeholders, including public and private teaching hospitals, regulatory bodies, student financing institutions (HELB), and examination bodies.
Gender Violence Recovery Centre
NWH also operates the Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC), which provides free services to survivors of Gender-Based Violence.
GVRC aims to restore the lives of survivors and their families through comprehensive free medical treatment and psychosocial support for those affected by violence, such as sexual, physical, psychological, or emotional abuse.
The GVRC-NWH headquarters is located at Malik Heights, Ngong’ Road in Nairobi County, with branches across all NWH facilities.y with branches in all NWH facilities.
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