Doctors

Director, Founder MBChB, MMED (Int.Med), 43 years of experience

Nairobi, Kenya.

• Dr. Dan Gikonyo is one of the most coveted Cardiologists in Kenya. He is both an interventional and non-invasive adult cardiologist.
• He has a thriving practice of over 43+ years.
• He has been instrumental in mentoring and training of the majority of adult cardiologists in the country and in the region.
• With over four decades of experience, Dr. Gikonyo has attended thousands of patients drawn from various parts of the world.
• He is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Adult Cardiology from the University of Minnesota, USA.
• Dr. Gikonyo is a member of the American College of Cardiology and previously lectured at the Faculty of Medicine (University of Nairobi).
• He is also a member of the Kenya Medical Association and Kenya Cardiac Society.
• He has attended several international conferences and written numerous papers touching on cardiac and other topical health matters.

Interventional Cardiologist, The Karen Hospital, Nairobi.

Director, MBChB, MRCP – 18 years of experience.

• Dr. Antony Gikonyo is an interventional and non-invasive adult cardiologist in Kenya.
• He performs Surgical and Interventional, Coronary artery and aortic procedures and actively participates in continuous medical education through seminars and workshops at The Karen Hospital.
• He graduated from Howard Medical School in 2001 and then became a member of the Royal College of Physicians UK in 2007. He completed his cardiology training in 2011, South Africa.
• For the past four years, he has been in charge of the medical internship program at The Karen Hospital, Nairobi.
• He is part of the Heart Team which performs regular coronary and artery bypass grafts at The Karen Hospital.
• Dr. Antony Gikonyo has published a Retrospective Review of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery at The Karen Hospital, Kenya among other research papers.

Chief Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon – The Karen Hospital, Nairobi

MS, Mch, FIACS, FICS, FCCP, FICA – 25 plus years of experience.

• Dr. Premanand has been a Cardiac surgeon for more than 25 years.
• He has performed more than 15,000 surgeries since he started practicing.
• At The Karen Hospital, he has been able to perform over 150 open heart operations since he joined the institution.
• Premanand performs CABG surgeries on “beating hearts” which means, the heart is not stopped. In other similar operations, the heart is usually stopped and then a heart-lung machine takes over the functions of the heart.
• He attended a Fellowship in heart and lung transplantation at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR, USA.
• Dr. Premanand holds a Bachelor of Medicines-Bachelor of Surgery, Nalanda Medical College, Patna Bihar, India.
• He has served in reputed cardiothoracic centres in the USA, Australia and New Zealand. He has also done a fellowship in heart and lung transplantation at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States.
• He has attended numerous international conferences and written numerous articles on cardiac and other health topics.

Dr. Lance Mayabi is a leading General and Laparoscopic Surgeon in Nairobi and the Head of Surgery at The Karen Hospital, specializing in minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery, bariatric (weight loss) surgery, and advanced gastrointestinal procedures.

With extensive expertise in surgical gastroenterology, Dr. Mayabi is at the forefront of delivering safe, effective, and minimally invasive surgical solutions that promote faster recovery, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and improved patient outcomes. He has played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic services at The Karen Hospital, positioning it as a center of excellence for modern surgical care in the region.

Since joining the hospital in 2018, he has led the transformation of surgical services by integrating cutting-edge techniques, innovation, and quality improvement practices within the operating theatres. His leadership ensures that patients receive world-class surgical care aligned with global standards.

Dr. Mayabi is a Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (FCS-ECSA) and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He is also a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), reflecting his commitment to adopting international best practices in minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery.

Beyond clinical care, he is deeply involved in training and mentorship, serving as the Program Director for the COSECSA General Surgery Program at The Karen Hospital. Through this role, he is actively shaping the next generation of surgeons across East, Central, and Southern Africa.

Dr. Mayabi is also the co-founder of Laparoscopy Mashinani, an outreach initiative focused on expanding access to safe and affordable minimally invasive surgery in underserved communities. His dedication to mentorship and surgical education earned him the Mentor of the Year Award by the Surgical Society of Kenya (2022).

He is widely recognized for his advocacy in patient safety, particularly in the prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), and contributes to advancing surgical knowledge as a peer reviewer for leading regional surgical journals.

Areas of Expertise

• Minimally Invasive (Laparoscopic) Surgery
• Bariatric & Metabolic (Weight Loss) Surgery
• Upper & Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• Surgical Gastroenterology
• Advanced GI Procedures
• Thromboprophylaxis in Surgical Practice
• Surgical Training, Leadership & Mentorship

Physician – The Karen Hospital

MBChB, M.MED (INT.MED) – 12 years working experience.

• Dr. Boniface Musila is a Physician at The Karen Hospital, Nairobi.
• He holds a Masters of Medicine in Internal Medicine from the University of Nairobi.
• At The Karen Hospital, he is in charge of the Accident and Emergency unit including the Wellness Department and Medical Outpatient Clinic.

Physician Cardiologist – The Karen Hospital.

MBChB, M.MED (INT.MED) – 10 years of working experience.

• Dr. Omondi holds a Masters of Internal Medicine from The Aga Khan University, Nairobi and is currently undertaking a Masters Degree in Clinical Trial at the University of London.
• At The Karen Hospital he has performed a number of procedures including Diagnostic coronary angiogram, 141 Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cases, 14 Permanent pacemaker implantation cases, 14 Temporary pacemaker insertion cases, 13 EP studies, 8 AVNRT ablation cases, 8 Right heart cath cases, 5 Pacemaker programming cases, 50 2 D Trans-thoracic echocardiography cases, 1200 Trans-esophageal echocardiography cases, 20 Cardiac Holter monitor interpretation cases, 150 Exercise stress test interpretation, 1000 Tilt table interpretation, 50 Post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) cases.
• Publication – “Factors that influence advance directives completion amongst terminally ill patients at a tertiary hospital in Kenya” http://rdcu.be/oMF3 published in February 2017.

Medical Officer – The Karen Hospital, Nairobi.

MBChB

• Dr. Khalif holds a bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nairobi.
• At The Karen Hospital, he works at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Accident and Emergency (A&E).
• He has assisted the cardiac team in performing 53 open heart cases.
• Publications include “Retrospective study of CABG in The Karen Hospital Kenya and Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Cardiac Surgery case report”.
• Interested in pursuing cardiothoracic Surgery.

Dr. Cynthia Sempele is a Consultant Radiologist and the Head of Radiology at The Karen Hospital, Nairobi, with specialized expertise in cardiac imaging and advanced diagnostic radiology.

She holds an MBChB, Master of Medicine in Radiology (MMed Rad), and an Executive MBA (EMBA), bringing a unique blend of clinical excellence and healthcare leadership to her role.

Dr. Sempele plays a critical role in supporting accurate diagnosis and treatment planning through advanced imaging modalities including CT scans, MRI, ultrasound, and cardiac imaging techniques. Her work is central to the hospital’s ability to deliver precision medicine and early disease detection, particularly in complex cardiac cases.

Key Areas of Expertise:

• Cardiac Imaging
• CT scan & MRI Diagnostics
• Ultrasound Imaging
• Diagnostic Radiology
• Imaging for Cardiovascular Disease

Obstetrician and Gynaecologist – The Karen Hospital, Nairobi.

MD, M.Med (Obs&Gyna) – Over 18 years of experience.

• Dr. Dribsa is a reputed doctor and delivers undivided attention to her patients.
• She has a thriving experience of over 18 years.
• She also runs obstetrician/gynaecology clinics at The Karen Hospital Nairobi CBD located on Cardinal Otunga Plaza first floor on Tuesdays

Senior Medical Officer In-charge of The Main Hospital.

MBChB – 13 years of experience.

• Dr. Nyandwi holds a bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Burundi.
• Coordinates cardiac clinics at the Nyeri Clinic performing the ECG and ECHOs and later sending referrals to the main hospital for clients requiring cath lab procedures and surgeries.
• He has also undergone various training to boost his efficiency including; care of children affected by HIV/AIDS organized by ANNECA, maternal and surgical emergencies, and HIV harmonized curriculum and many others.

Senior Medical Officer in charge of The Nyeri Branch.

MBChB – 5 years of experience.

• Dr. Stanley Wahome holds a bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nairobi.
• He has undergone training such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Training and Basic Life Support (BLS) Training to improve work efficiency.

Dr. Shrikant Panchal is a highly experienced Cardiac Anaesthesiologist at The Karen Hospital, Nairobi, specializing in adult and pediatric cardiac anesthesia, cardiac critical care, and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

With over 15 years of experience and involvement in more than 13,000 cardiothoracic and vascular surgeries, he plays a critical role in ensuring patient safety during complex heart procedures.

He is a Fellow in Cardiac Critical Care (FICCC) and ECMO (FECMO), and has extensive expertise in managing critically ill cardiac patients before, during, and after surgery.

His interests include ECMO support, open-heart surgery anesthesia, pediatric cardiac care, and intensive care medicine.

Physician – The Karen Hospital, Nairobi.

MBChB, M.MED (INT.MED) – 13 years of experience in the medical field.

• Dr. Irungu holds a Masters of Internal Medicine from the University of Nairobi.
• At The Karen Hospital, she is engaged in the evaluation and management of medical patients both inpatient and Out-Patient.
• She also attends to patients with varicose veins and who require varicose vein ablation.

Dr Cimpaye holds a Master’s degree in internal medicine from the University of Nairobi.

At the Karen Hospital, she offers outpatient and inpatient medical care.

She works at the Nairobi heart clinic as a cardiology fellow.

She is involved in specialised cardiac care and cardiovascular procedures such as coronary angiogram, pacemaker implantation.

She has a special interest in venous diseases where she diagnoses and performs venous radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of varicose veins.

1. Dr. Oluwatayo Opakunle is a highly skilled cardiology fellow dedicated to providing exceptional medical care to his patients. With a passion for medicine and a commitment to excellence, he has garnered recognition for his expertise and compassionate approach to patient care.
   Dr. Opakunle earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the esteemed University of Nairobi.
   With several years of clinical experience under his belt, Dr. Opakunle has become known for his proficiency in performing echocardiograms and interpreting cardiac diagnostic tests. He has a keen interest in cardiology and has facilitated numerous community cardiac camps, providing essential screenings and referrals for further evaluation.
   Areas of Expertise:
   Echocardiography
   Cardiac diagnostic tests
   Community cardiac outreach programs
2. Dr. Opakunle believes in delivering patient-centered care with a focus on compassion and empathy. He takes the time to listen to his patients’ concerns, thoroughly explains treatment options, and involves them in decision-making processes to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Josephine Mbuthi is a highly experienced Clinical Nutritionist/Dietitian and proficient HIV/TB counselor with an impressive 12-year tenure in the hospital and healthcare sector. With expertise spanning multiple domains, including Healthcare, Pediatrics, Non-Communicable Diseases, and Nutrition, Josephine is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to her patients.

Josephine obtained her foundational training from AMREF E-LEARNING, where she developed a strong foundation in clinical nutrition and counseling.

With over a decade of experience, Josephine has demonstrated proficiency in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics. She specializes in nutritional counseling, HIV counseling, and TB counseling, providing valuable support and guidance to patients managing chronic conditions.
Areas of Expertise:
– Clinical Nutrition
– HIV Counseling
– TB Counseling
– Pediatrics
– Non-Communicable Diseases

Josephine is committed to providing compassionate and patient-centered care to her clients. She believes in empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health and works collaboratively with them to develop personalized treatment plans.