Penda Health Centre History, Owners, and Founders

Penda Health Centre is a private healthcare company that provides healthcare services and started its operations in 2012.

The Company opened their first clinic in Kitengela, a location chosen because it is home to an Export Processing Zone (EPZ). 

It has a support office at Ring Road Parklands in Nairobi County.

Penda Health operates over 15 outpatient clinics across Nairobi, strategically located in neighbourhoods such as Kahawa West, Zimmerman, Kangemi, Githurai 45, Tassia, Lucky Summer, Lang’ata, Umoja, Pipeline, Kasarani, Kawangware, and Mathare North.

These clinics offer 24/7 outpatient services, comprehensive urgent care (illness, accident, emergency) and ante-natal care (ANC) for expectant mothers.

The Hospital also offers baby care services including comprehensive vaccination services, screening and treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes, dental services, laboratory services and family planning.

Penda Ownership

Penda Health is owned by a group of medical practitioners.

Two of the co-founders are Stephanie Koczela, Jonathan Petrides and Nicholas Sowden.

They operate in Nairobi and have a strong network of health professionals working in the various medical branches.

Koczela is the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company.

Her journey in healthcare innovation began with a transformative study abroad experience in Kenya that would ultimately shape her life’s mission.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a degree in International Development Studies, she discovered her true calling: making quality healthcare accessible to low- and middle-income families.

Also Read: Who Owns Iconic Afya Centre Building in Nairobi CBD

Stephanie Koczela

Koczela holds a certificate in African Studies and a BA in International Development Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She is also the co-founder of Witethye, where she worked as a manager between 2007 and 2013.

Koczela started her career as a Co-Youth Relay Coordinator at the American Cancer Society in 2000.

In 2003, she joined Urban Ecology Centre as a Student Intern before moving to Boston Health Care for Homeless as a Summer Intern in May 2006.

Between September 2006 and December 2006, Koczela was a Student Intern at Family Care International.

She also worked as a Kiva Fellow, Field Support Specialist and International Field Support Manager at Kiva.org, Pearl Microfinance Limited.

Before founding Penda, she was a Building Project Executive Board Member at Valley View Academy School.

Also Read: Bishop Paul, Egyptian Doctor Who Founded Coptic Hospital in Nairobi

Jonathan Petrides

Petrides holds a First Honours in History from the University of Nottingham.

He kicked off his career as a Front of House and Team Lead at Sodexho Catering Services in 1999.

Petrides then worked as a Paralegal Industrial Litigator at Hebert Smith in September 2002.

Between July and September 2005, he was a Global Markets Analyst at RBS before joining McKinsey & Company as a Management Consultant.

He is the co-founder of Jipange Kusave, and he served as the Company’s CEO from September 2009 to November 2011.

Besides, Petrides is the co-founder of allplants.

Nicholas Sowden

Sowden studied Entrepreneurship and Management at the University of Colorado Boulder (2004–2007), before relocating to Kenya to pursue social-impact ventures.

He founded a painting business in 2005 and co-founded If Life Development.

Between 2006 and 2008,  Sowden served as Director of Business Development at Collective Intellect (2006–2008) before it was acquired by Oracle.

He then joined ToughStuff before co-founding Penda Health in 2012.

Sowden is the CEO and Chief Growth Officer of the Kitengela branch and has expanded from a single clinic to a network serving several patients.

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