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 Outreach 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 centers 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

Dr. WANGECI THUO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ALBERT OBBUYI

DEPUTY DIRECTOR
ANTONETA AKUOM

SAFARI VETS ANIMAL HEALTH OFFICER
ELMER ONGUS

ASSISTANT MONITORING & EVALUTION OFFICER
FAHMI SAID MAHIBU

BOAT CAPTAIN
FATMA ABDULKADIR

ASSISTANT FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
HARRISON CHARO KALU

NURSE
ISSA ABDULRAHMAN

COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
KHADIJA HAFIDH

PHARMACIST
MARIAM ABDALLA

PROGRAM MANAGER
MWEMA JOHN

REGISTERED NURSE
Nuru Ismail

CLINICAL OFFICER
REHEMA CHARO

OFFICE ASSISTANT
SHANGA NZOLE ANDERSON

OFFICE ASSISTANT
SYLVIA WANJIKU

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
VIOLET WANJERI

PROGRAM OFFICER

Our Founder

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

*“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., she returned to Lamu and launched Safari Doctors in 2015—transforming a life-saving medical aid project that had been abandoned due to security concerns into an award-winning, community-driven health enterprise.

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.

After a decade of leading the organisation, Umra has transitioned to serving as a board member, bringing her founding vision and deep community roots to Safari Doctors' governance and strategic direction.

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.