Our Journey

WHO WE ARE

Safari Doctors is a women-led, youth-powered organization working towards better health outcomes across the communities we serve. For more than a decade, our model has been tested and refined, proving both effective and replicable in marginalized contexts.

What began as a small idea — delivering healthcare by boat — has grown into a trusted bridge between underserved populations and the systems meant to serve them. At its heart are three interconnected pillars led by trusted community members:

Youth Health Ambassadors who drive health education, promotion, and data collection in schools and villages.
Women’s groups who advance advocacy, equity, and climate action, anchoring systemic change.
One Health Services that integrate human, animal, and environmental health to address root causes and build resilience.

Together with our partners, these pillars transform outreach into a sustainable cycle of care, knowledge, and systemic change — defining Safari Doctors as an award-winning social enterprise co-creating lasting solutions so that communities in Lamu, Garissa, and Tana River can thrive with dignity, resilience, and better health outcomes.

WHAT WE DO

In order to achieve better health outcomes, our Journey for Change places communities at the center of care. Safari Doctors works with more than 40 intervention villages across Kenya through a three-pillar model that unites youth leadership, women’s advocacy, and One Health services. This model is reinforced by medical centres across Lamu County, youth-friendly services, a referral pathway to the Shungwaya Health Access level 4 hospital, and the Safari Vets clinic. Together, these interconnected interventions and data systems transform our outreaches into a sustainable cycle of education, advocacy, treatment, and evidence—building resilience, strengthening systems, and creating lasting change for generations.

Read our Annual Reports: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.

Youth and women at the forefront: trusted community leaders guiding generations to better health outcomes.

Meet the team

ALBERT OBBUYI

DEPUTY DIRECTOR
“Global commitments are focused on the achievement of sustainable development goals. In a small way we make our own contributions to community health towards archiving these ambitious objectives.”
ANTONETA AKUOM

SAFARI VETS ANIMAL HEALTH OFFICER
“Ever since I was small, I have had a passion for animals.”
AUGUSTINE MUSULWA

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
“Hope is a good thing and I wanted to be part of a good thing.”
FAHMI SAID MAHIBU

BOAT CAPTAIN
“I like using football and sport as a way to engage vulnerable young people.”
HARRISON CHARO KALU

NURSE
“I enjoy helping the very marginalised communities.”
ISSA ABDULRAHMAN

COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
“I’m proud to work with a team that shares a vision and can apply individual successes to organisational goals.”
KHADIJA HAFIDH

PHARMACIST
“Only when everyone you encounter along the way learns something from you will the road to success be genuinely extraordinary.”
MARIAM ABDALLA

PROGRAMS MANAGER
“I am motivated to help the neglected communities in my homeland.”
MWEMA JOHN

NURSE
“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. As a nurse, I'm always generous with kindness.”
Nuru Ismail

CLINICAL OFFICER
”One kind act can warm up three winter months. It's never too late or too early to be kind. Let's create autumn and spring in people's hearts.”
REHEMA CHARO

OFFICE ASSISTANT
“I enjoy when our team works together in harmony. I look forward to seeing more of that and growth.”
SHANGA NZOLE ANDERSON

OFFICE ASSISTANT
“Giving back to the community is my passion.”
SYLVIA WANJIKU

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
“I joined Safari Doctors because I was looking for a challenging yet fulfilling role, offering the community friendly and accessible healthcare.”
VIOLET WANJERI

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
“Accessible and affordable healthcare is a necessity and a source of joy for many in remote areas. Contributing to this motivates me.”

Our Founder

Umra Omar (credit Tojo Andrianarivo).jpg — **Umra Omar**, Founder & Director

*“Marinating in comfort is not an option. Fear is not an option. With a leap of faith we can all be the change our world screams for.”*

Umra Omar is from Pate Island in the Lamu archipelago and was raised in Kenya. After completing graduate school and working in Washington, D.C., Umra decided cubicle life was not for her. She returned to Lamu to explore her purpose and learned about a life-saving medical aid project that had been abandoned because of security concerns. In 2015, she launched Safari Doctors.

The following year, Umra was selected as a CNN Hero for her work. In 2017, she won the United Nations in Kenya Person of The Year Award. Umra is an Africa Visionary Fellow, Aurora Forum Goodwill Ambassador and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. She featured among the United Nations #RealLifeHeroes for World Humanitarian Day 2020 and was among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans of 2020.

In 2021, Umra also became an Amujae Leader- the flagship programme of The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, which aims to shift the landscape for women in public leadership in Africa, to one that truly values women leaders.

Watch: CNN African Voices Changemakers

“If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a room with a mosquito.”

Our favourite African proverb

The Board

Ms. Amina Abubakar

Owner, RX Clinic & Pharmacy
Amina Abubakar is a pharmacist and entrepreneur who champions patient care and personalized medicine. She owns a pharmacy, founded the Avant Institute to train pharmacists, and advocates for expanding pharmacists’ roles in pharmacogenomics.
Mr. Dana Hovig

Consultant, Ex-Director at Gates Foundation and Hewlett Foundation; Ex-CEO of MSI Reproductive Choices
Dana Hovig is a global health and development leader with extensive experience in gender equity, governance, and reproductive health. He previously held leadership positions at the Gates Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, and MSI Reproductive Choices, and now serves as a consultant and board member for various organizations.
Eng. Philip Holi

Technical Director at Davis & Shirtliff
Philip Holi is a technology expert with over 25 years of experience in water and energy solutions in East Africa. He is the Technical Director at Davis & Shirtliff, where he leverages technology and innovation to address critical challenges in underserved areas. His passion for sustainable, community-driven solutions aligns with Safari Doctors' vision of accessible healthcare.
Ms. Sumayya Hassan

Founder & CEO of GFunze Limited
Sumayya Hassan is a lawyer and entrepreneur with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. She founded Azure Energy and GFunze, an e-learning platform. As former CEO of Kenya’s National Oil Corporation, she champions youth, women, and deaf empowerment. She is an Eisenhower Fellow and award-winning leader.
Ms. Michelle Kagari

Senior Global Director at One Acre Fund; Former Deputy Regional Director at Amnesty International
Michelle Kagari is a seasoned international development and human rights leader with over 30 years of experience. She has held senior roles at One Acre Fund and Amnesty International, and currently serves on multiple boards while championing policy reform, gender equity, and inclusive leadership across Africa.

Honoring Our Past Board Members

At Safari Doctors, we believe in service with purpose—and few have embodied this more than our outgoing board members.

We extend our deepest gratitude to:

Ms. Anne Gathumbi – Health & Rights Consultant
Mr. Karim Anjarwalla – Managing Partner, Anjarwalla & Khanna
Ms. Kelly Campbell – Co-founder, The Village Experience
Ms. Tahreni Bwanaali – Management Consultant
Dr. Victor Tole – Deputy Director, Lamu County Department of Health

Your leadership, wisdom, and unwavering support have been instrumental in shaping our journey. As we transition into a new phase guided by our strategic plan, we honor your contribution and legacy.

Asanteni sana for walking with us on this journey for change.