Growing up in Mbusyani village, Kitui County, Dr Mueni never imagined she could one day become a celebrated individual in society. When she was orphaned at the age of 11, the world came tumbling down on her.
She credits her uncle, his wife, and grandmother for taking care of her education, as well as several well-wishers who sponsored her education at Alliance Girls High School and the University of Nairobi, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. In 2016, she completed Master’s of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health in the same institution.
Today, Dr Saumu is one of the few specialists in the country – a paediatrician, adolescents’ endocrinologist, and diabetologist—quite a mouthful! In simple terms, she treats children with endocrine disorders, a condition that leads to Type 1 diabetes, among other diseases. She is also the secretary of the Paediatric and Endocrine Society of Kenya (PESK).
"My dream is to ensure all children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and those with difficult endocrine disorders are diagnosed early and get the best care possible so that they can achieve their full potential."
In 2022, through the Kenya Paediatric Fellowship Programme, Dr Saumu pursued a super-speciality in Paediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology and Diabetology at the University of Nairobi, becoming the 13th entrant in the field, and the youngest.
Being a Top 40 under 40 finalist took her by surprise. “I have always believed I am tucked somewhere in rural areas away from the media,” says the mother of three boys.
“I’m really humbled. I feel blessed to have joined the list of eminent ladies whose work has impacted society,” says Dr Saumu, who credits several mentors, including her husband, Dr Bundi Karau, for supporting her career progression.
It is at Chuka Level Five Hospital in Tharaka Nithi County, where she is a paediatrician that she has grown her career.
“The county had no paediatrician.Through teamwork and support from the county government, the inpatient department is functional, and we have a busy peadiatric outpatient clinic.”
In Kenya, most paediatric endocrinologists are based in Nairobi and its environs, but she decided to serve children in the rural setting because they too deserve to get specialist services.
“I am also part of a team involved in the training of healthcare workers on Type 1 diabetes across the country. As PESK we are collaborating with the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Ministry of Health and so far we have trained personnel in more than 30 counties which has helped bridge the knowledge gap and overall improvement in patients’ outcomes.”
At the Chuka Hospital, Dr Saumu started a school programme for children with Type 1 diabetes, which involves mapping schools where these children learn and training the school staff on holistic care.
Dr Saumu also has started a forum that brings together parents of children living with type 1 diabetes and provides education, support and peer mentorship ensuring better outcomes for her patients.
“My dream is to ensure all children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and those with difficult endocrine disorders are diagnosed early and get the best care possible so that they can achieve their full potential,” she says.
– By Gitonga Marete
