Our History
From a small professional association founded in 1968 to a growing community of paediatric practitioners and child-health professionals, our story is one of professional support, scientific exchange, advocacy, research and service to children.
Founded for professional support and better child health
We were founded in 1968 by a group of paediatricians working at the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Nairobi. Since then, we have expanded to include paediatricians and other specialists working in medical schools, research institutions, and public and private institutions.
Our original purpose was to provide members with professional support and a forum for sharing clinical information that would help them respond to new and emerging childhood diseases. While we have grown considerably since then, our commitment to professional collaboration and better care for children remains central to who we are.
Over the years, we have evolved into a non-profit, non-partisan body of paediatric practitioners committed to professional excellence and timely, quality service delivery to children. Our role has expanded to promoting holistic paediatric care, strengthening child-health standards and providing professional leadership in matters of child health.
Milestones through the years
Our institutional journey reflects the growth of paediatric training, scientific exchange, research, regional structures and governance over more than five decades.
KPA is founded
We are established by paediatricians from the University of Nairobi’s Department of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Pioneer MMed class
Our historical anniversary material records a pioneer Master of Medicine in Paediatrics class as an important milestone in the development of paediatric specialist training.
First Annual Scientific Conference
We hold our first Annual Scientific Conference, establishing an enduring platform for scientific exchange, professional learning and research dissemination.
KPA Secretariat established
We establish our Secretariat, strengthening institutional coordination, administration and continuity.
KEPRECON registered
We register the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium (KEPRECON) as our research arm to support research, advocacy, education, training and the search for solutions to child-health challenges.
Regional branch growth
Our 50th-anniversary material records the formation of three regional branches: North Rift, Lake Region and Coast Region.
Golden Jubilee
We celebrate our Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of KPA. Our historical anniversary material records approximately 400 members and the launch of a Strategic Plan at this milestone.
Further regional expansion
We launch the Mt. Kenya Branch on 15 March 2019, followed by the South Rift Branch on 19 July 2019.
KPA Trust and second Strategic Plan
We establish and register the KPA Trust and launch our second Strategic Plan.
Revised Constitution
We adopt a revised Constitution, strengthening the governance framework for our next chapter.
How KPA’s role has evolved
Our founding purpose has broadened over time while remaining centred on the health and wellbeing of children.
Knowledge & professional learning
Disseminating knowledge on the causes, treatment and prevention of childhood diseases, while supporting education, training and the sharing of professional experience.
Research & evidence
Encouraging and collaborating in research into the causes, management and prevention of childhood diseases and strengthening the search for evidence-based child-health solutions.
Advocacy for children
Advocating for child health, including vaccination, a clean environment, appropriate resource allocation and the broader protection and wellbeing of children.
Support in times of vulnerability
Contributing professional and counselling support in areas affecting children and families, including HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, sexual abuse and disasters.
Past Chairs of KPA
Generations of paediatric leaders have guided us through our growth and development.
Afya Ya Watoto Wetu
The enduring KPA focus: The health and wellbeing of our children.
Building on more than five decades of service
Our history is a story of paediatricians, health professionals, educators, researchers, partners and leaders working together to strengthen care for children. That legacy continues to shape our work in professional development, research, policy, advocacy and comprehensive child healthcare delivery.
DR. JOY MUYONGA
Dr. Barnabas Kigen
DR. JUSTUS MAINGI SIMBA MBChB, PhD.
Dr. Caren Ito Emadau
AFFILIATIONS: Gertrudes Childrens Hospital
President
AFFILIATIONS: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kenyatta University.
AFFILIATIONS:
AFFILIATIONS: Aga Khan University Hospital
AFFILIATION: Medical services Nairobi City County
DR. JUSTUS MAINGI SIMBA MBChB, PhD.
AFFILIATIONS: Aga Khan University Nairobi, Kenya.
AFFILIATIONS: Department of Paediatrics and Child health, University of Nairobi.
Denish Osodo works at Safaricom Limited as the Internal Audit Director. He has wide and deep experience in Assurance, Governance and Risk Services. Prior to joining Safaricom, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for several years, offering audit and business advisory services to Companies in different industries during his stints in Kenya and United Kingdom offices. He left PwC as a Director in the Risk Assurance Services team focusing on the provision of Internal Audit and business Controls Advisory Services to clients across Africa.
Njeri Wahome delights in all things administration. With over 20 years of experience in operations management in the development sector, Njeri as hands-on experience in strategic planning, financial management, human resources management, administration and logistics planning. She has experience providing technical assistance to NGOs on institutional strengthening for growth and sustainability.
Fred Were is Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health specializing in Newborn Medicine. He presently holds portfolios of; Dean School of Medicine University of Nairobi (UON), Acting Principal College of Health Sciences (UON), Adjunct Professor of Newborn Medicine at the Aga Khan University (East Africa) and Executive Director/Chief Researcher of The Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium a wing of the Kenya Paediatric Association.
Dr. Lawrence Okong’o Owino is a lecturer at the department of paediatrics and child health at the University of Nairobi. He is also a consultant paediatrician at the Kenyatta National hospital as well as a consultant paediatrician and rheumatologist for all the major hospitals in Nairobi. He is a pioneer paediatric rheumatologist. His research interests are in the field of musculoskeletal health and immunizations. He has published papers in peer reviewed journals focussing mainly on childhood rheumatic disorders.
Thomas Ngwiri is Head Clinician at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital since February 2010. He is also Director of the Paediatric endocrinology training centre for Africa (PETCA) – Nairobi which trains paediatricians from sub-Saharan Africa in the field of diabetes and other endocrine disorders. He has been a member of the Kenya Paediatric association executive since 2010 and is the immediate former National Chair of the association.
MBChB (UoN), MMed (UoN) M.Phil-MCH (UCT)). Dr Osano is a Lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, a consultant Paediatrician cardiologist at Kenyatta National Hospital. He has been the Program Coordinator for the NIH MEPI grant awarded to the University of Nairobi: Strengthening Maternal Newborn Child Health Research Training in Kenya. He has special interest in Maternal Child Health.
Dr. Joe Mbuthia is a graduate of the University of Oxford, with a specialty in Paediatric Infectious Diseases. He is an honorary Lecturer at the Department of Paediatrics and Child health, University of Nairobi as well as a Senior Technical Advisor to the HIV programme – Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium.
Dr. David Githanga is an accomplished medical professional with over 37 years of clinical practice experience. He holds a fellowship of the royal college of physicians of Edinburg (2021, a PhD in Medical Immunology from the University of Nairobi. (2019), Masters in public Health from the University of London (2010), He qualified in paediatric cardiology from the Royal Hospital for sick Children in Glasgow UK (1993), A Diplomate in Child Environmental Health from Athens Greece (2005, a Master’s degree in pediatrics from the University of Nairobi (1990) having obtained his MB,chB from the same University in 1984. Over the years he has demonstrated leadership capability and strategic thinking that has been instrumental in spearheading the growth, development and integration of the Kenya Pediatric Association (KPA) where he served in executive positions for a total period of 19 years.
Dr. Kibore received her bachelor’s degree in medicine and her master’s degree in Pediatrics and Child Health both from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, she then went on and completed a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Washington, USA.
Dr. Makeba Shiroya Wandabwa is a Paediatrician and Public Health Specialist, with a strong health systems background having worked in various capacities to develop child health policies and guidelines, implement and monitor high impact child health interventions at the international, national, sub national and community levels. She has provided technical, strategic, evaluation and operational support for RMNCAH/HIVAIDS health programs funded by USAID, DFID, Global Fund and World Health Organization.
Dr. Doris M.W. Kinuthia is medical professional with expertise in paediatrics and adolescent medicine, nephrology and HIV. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with medical qualifications MB.Ch.B and M.Med in Paediatrics. She has Certificates in Tropical medicine and Immunology from the same University. She did her fellowship in Paediatric Nephrology at the hospital for Sick Children in Great Ormond Street, London.U.K. She has a post graduate diploma and Master of Business Administration from Sunderland University U.K.
Denish Osodo works at Safaricom Limited as the Internal Audit Director. He has wide and deep experience in Accounting and Audit with along progressive career in Assurance, Governance and Risk Services.