September 2026

Conservationist and indigenous researcher Dr. Lepantas Leshore has called for greater integration of traditional and complementary medicine into Kenya’s healthcare system, saying lessons from China could help Kenya strengthen primary healthcare and preserve indigenous knowledge. Dr. Leshore, founder of the Maa Museum of Heritage, which serves communities across the Maa counties of Kajiado, Narok, Laikipia, Samburu and Marsabit, was speaking on August 25, 2026, during a Chinese herbal medicine event by Fohow, organised by Ms. Evlyne Malova at PEC House in Ngong. He said lifestyle changes, including reduced physical activity, increased time spent in vehicles and poor dietary habits, have contributed to health challenges that require greater attention to preventive and primary healthcare. Dr. Leshore argued that traditional and complementary medicine could form part of a broader healthcare approach in Kenya. “The Fohow products seem good for women’s reproductive health, including menstrual hygiene, and can enhance primary health care in Kenya,” he said. He further called for the continued development of a healthcare model that brings together conventional medicine and traditional or complementary approaches. His comments come as Kenya continues to develop frameworks around traditional, complementary and alternative medicine. However, claims about the safety or effectiveness of particular herbal products require appropriate scientific and regulatory evaluation before being treated as established medical evidence. Dr Leshore narrated his experience in China, where he travelled as part of a 25 member delegation under a China Aid programme. The two week training exposed the delegation to issues including heritage, tourism integration, conservation, culture and urban health. According to Dr. Leshore, the experience demonstrated how different sectors can be brought together in the development and preservation of cultural and natural heritage. He said Kenya could learn from China’s approach to tourism, cultural preservation, traditional medicine, heritage management and conservation. “Kenya can learn a lot from China including tourism, preservation of culture, development of traditional herbal medicine, heritage and conservation,” he said. For Dr. Leshore, the exchange was also an opportunity to consider how indigenous knowledge in Kenya could be documented and incorporated into modern development without losing its cultural foundation. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of documenting plants, minerals and other substances believed to have medicinal properties. One of the best known historical works is the Bencao Gangmu, commonly translated as the Compendium of Materia Medica. Compiled by Chinese physician and naturalist Li Shizhen during the Ming dynasty, the work brought together extensive knowledge of medicinal substances and natural history.  By the end of the 16th century, the number of drugs documented in China had reached close to 1,900. The development of traditional Chinese medicine later became intertwined with China’s modern healthcare system. During the 20th century, Chinese authorities promoted approaches that combined traditional medical practices with aspects of Western medicine, particularly in efforts to expand basic healthcare services in rural communities. The country’s experience has also generated debate. While traditional Chinese medicine remains widely used, researchers and health experts have raised questions concerning evidence, regulation, quality control and the safety of some traditional remedies. China has around 45 dedicated tertiary institutions  specializing on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), alongside over 215 other comprehensive universities that offer TCM programs or majors. Dr. Leshore’s comments reflect a wider conversation about how traditional knowledge can coexist with modern healthcare. For Kenya, this discussion is particularly relevant given the country’s diverse indigenous communities and long history of using medicinal plants and traditional healing practices. Integrating traditional medicine into the formal healthcare system, however, would require appropriate standards for training, product quality, safety, research, regulation and patient protection. Dr. Leshore said his experience in China strengthened his belief that Kenya can benefit from studying approaches used in other countries while developing solutions suited to its own cultural and healthcare environment. He also linked the discussion to his broader work in conservation and indigenous heritage, arguing that traditional knowledge, culture, tourism and environmental conservation can complement one another. The Ngong event brought together participants interested in herbal medicine and wellness, with Fohow products forming part of the discussions. Fohow is a Chinese company that markets health and wellness products based on traditional Chinese medicine. The company has operations in a number of countries, including Kenya. For Dr. Leshore, the conversation goes beyond herbal products. He sees the exchange between Kenya and China as an opportunity to examine how traditional knowledge can contribute to healthcare, cultural preservation, tourism and conservation while being assessed within appropriate modern standards. “This is why I believe in the principles of China. If you want to learn and change the new world order, this is where we are going, the new world order, we are moving to China and we can borrow good lessons,” he said. Ms. Awinja Malova who organised the successfull event last month on 25th August operates a Fohow Agency at 1st Floor, Astrol Petrol Station, Ngong Town.  Ms. Malova can be contacted through mobile number 0720944443.

On September 3, 2026, residents of Umoja Village, formerly known as Mathare, raised the alarm after a well known woman in the community, Wambui, was found in need of urgent medical attention. A Community Health Volunteer (CHV) who responded to the call said the condition in which she found Wambui was so severe that people were reluctant to assist her. “When I arrived there, no one wanted to touch her because of the state she was in. I believe that is why they contacted me,” the CHV said. Residents and volunteers quickly mobilised funds to facilitate her treatment. Wambui was taken to Ngong Sub County Hospital, where she received medical attention. However, according to those involved in her care, the facility could not admit her amid an ongoing nurses’ strike. The volunteers were reportedly advised to seek admission at a private facility.  Wambui was then taken to Matasia Nursing Hospital in Matasia. According to information provided to Elveza Media by the facility, a group of people brought Wambui to the hospital but later left, effectively abandoning her at the facility.  Later that night, Wambui was reportedly seen back in the Umoja Village area, in Ngong Town. The following morning, residents found her lying helplessly in an alley within the village. Some members of the community attempted to care for her, including trying to feed her porridge. Her condition, however, continued to deteriorate, and she eventually died. Her body was initially taken by police to Ngong Funeral Homes but was reportedly rejected before being transferred to the City Mortuary. A community leader who knew Wambui told Elveza Media that she was originally from Embulbul before relocating to Umoja Village in Ngong. According to the community leader, Wambui later became homeless and spent nights wherever well wishers were willing to accommodate her. Those who knew her described her as a woman who could be warm towards people she respected but could also express bitterness towards those she felt had disrespected her. Mr Clint Mbuthia, who is among those helping with arrangements following her death, described Wambui’s life as one marked by instability and hardship. “She lived a life of instability. She has suffered a lot. Alcohol was part of her daily diet. She lacked the support system which is critical,” Mbuthia said. For years, very little was known about Wambui beyond the immediate community in which she lived. Following her death, those assisting with funeral arrangements established that her ancestral home was in Ithanga, Murang’a County. Mbuthia also acknowledged the assistance Wambui received from Jesus Winner Ministry Church in Ngong. “I want to thank Jesus Winner Ministry Church in Ngong for supporting the deceased during her difficult days. After realizing she was homeless, the church rented her a place to live and regularly supported her with food donations,” he said. The support, however, was not enough to resolve the wider challenges facing Wambui, according to those who knew her. Her death has now prompted questions within Umoja Village about how vulnerable people living with homelessness, addiction, poverty and serious illness can access emergency healthcare and sustained social support. One of her sons was traced to Birika Shopping Centre in Kajiado East. He was reportedly knocked down by a vehicle in Ngong Town two days ago and sustained injuries to his foot and neck.  He is currently being hosted by a well-wisher in Umoja Village according to a CHV identified as John Mulwa. Community Health Volunteers who spoke to Elveza Media identified emergency transport as one of the challenges facing poor and vulnerable patients in Kajiado North. The CHVs called for allocation of emergency funds that could be accessed by community health volunteers to facilitate transportation of critically ill patients when an ambulance or other emergency transport is not immediately available. They argued that delays in moving critically ill patients can have serious consequences, particularly for people who lack money, family support or reliable means of transport. The concerns come as Kenya has been expanding its national emergency medical response system.  On August 5, 2026, the government announced the launch of the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre, a centralised emergency medical dispatch platform intended to coordinate emergency response across all 47 counties. The system allows people in Kenya to dial 922 to report a medical emergency. According to the government’s announcement, callers do not need to prove SHA membership before emergency assistance is dispatched. The system is intended to coordinate county ambulances, private providers and faith based organisations within a national emergency response network. The government has also said that calls to 922 are free across mobile networks and that trained dispatchers can establish the location of an emergency, assess the situation and identify an available ambulance and appropriate health facility. Mbuthia has also called for revenue collected through liquor licensing to be used to support rehabilitation programmes for people struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. He further urged religious organisations and medical institutions to increase their involvement in supporting people experiencing homelessness, addiction and extreme poverty. He cited Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, which provides for economic and social rights, including the right to the highest attainable standard of health, accessible and adequate housing, freedom from hunger, social security and other basic needs.  Article 43(2) also provides that no person shall be denied emergency medical treatment. Mbuthia argued that Wambui’s experience demonstrates the gap that can exist between constitutional guarantees and the reality faced by vulnerable people. “Despite Article 43 being clear on these rights, the late Wambui is one of many others who are failed by both governments of Kenya.  Ideally anyone unable to feed themselves should walk to the chief’s office or the social services office and get petty cash or voucher to buy food,” he said. He called on organisations including the Law Society of Kenya, Katiba Institute and the Kenya Human Rights Commission to increase civic education at grassroots level so that vulnerable communities understand the rights provided under the Constitution. Wambui’s death has also reignited…