If you thought heroes only exist in fiction, think again. Dr. Catherine Nyongesa is living proof that courage, brains, and compassion can combine to change an entire nation’s healthcare landscape.
Crowned the voice.co.ke Medic Person of the Year 2025, she’s not just a doctor, she’s a revolution in a white coat.
From Humble Roots to National Icon.
Born in Bungoma County in a bustling family of ten, young Catherine could have followed any path, but life had bigger plans. Watching cancer claim loved ones, she didn’t just mourn; she decided to fight.
That spark of determination led her to the University of Nairobi and beyond, ultimately making her Kenya’s first female radiation oncologist. A trailblazer? Absolutely. A visionary? Without a doubt.
The Queen of Cancer Care
Fast forward to 2010: Dr. Nyongesa co-founded Texas Cancer Centre in Nairobi with her husband. What started as a dream soon became a haven for thousands of patients.
From cutting-edge radiotherapy to personalized chemotherapy plans, the center is a fortress against cancer, blending science with a human touch that few hospitals can match.
She’s more than a doctor in a lab coat; she’s an advocate, mentor, and educator, reshaping how Kenyans think about cancer care. Her tireless campaigns for early detection, HPV vaccinations, and patient awareness have saved lives—literally.
A Global Leader with a Heart
Dr. Nyongesa doesn’t just stop at Kenyan borders. As chairperson of KESHO and a collaborator with international health organizations, she brings global standards of care home. Her work ensures that cancer patients in Nairobi don’t need to fly overseas for the treatment they deserve. She brings the world’s best medicine to Kenya’s doorstep.
Recognition Well Deserved
Being named Medic Person of the Year 2025 by one of the most read digital media platform is more than an award, it’s a national salute to her innovation, courage, and unwavering dedication.
It’s a title that fits someone who turns despair into hope, fear into courage, and sickness into survival.
Beyond the Hospital
Off duty, Dr. Nyongesa is a devoted wife and mother, proving that you can run a world-class cancer center and still make time for family. Her story is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and unapologetic passion.
Dr. Catherine Nyongesa isn’t just a doctor; she’s a movement, a lifeline, and an inspiration. If stories could make you hungry, hers would demand a three-course meal: rich in triumph, seasoned with courage, and served with a side of hope.