Isaac Maina Nduta – The Journey to Health

Over the school holidays, Isaac Maina Nduta would make his way to a health center near his mother’s house in Gatundu. Back then, boiling was the most common way to sterilize syringes in most health centers, and Isaac loved to help the health workers carry out this process. It comes as no surprise that in this health center, he saw his future as a health worker. He associated his love for this profession with his respect for Mrs. Karanja, a nurse and close family friend, who had also been a guardian to him. He wanted to work hard and get involved in the world of medicine.

Isaac sat his KCSE exams in 2005 and scored an A-. He had fallen just a few points short of qualifying to enroll for a medical degree. Mrs. Karanja stepped in and advised him to apply to the Kenya Medical Training College for a diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery. Because of how instrumental she had been in his life, he trusted that her advice was worth trying. Not long after, Isaac was in his new KMTC uniform taking his diploma classes at the Thika campus.

For three years, Isaac underwent the required training to become a clinical officer, learning about the different diverse kinds of ailments and the treatment process and medication for them. After he completed his coursework, Isaac was posted at Gatundu District Hospital for his internship. A year later, eager to garner more understanding on the work he wanted to do, Isaac wasted no time in joining Mount Kenya University for a BSc in Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Community Health. He doubled school with a new job he took up at the Centre for Health Solutions in Makuyu Health Centre. Balancing school and work was not too difficult since his classes were on Saturdays.

In 2015, Isaac graduated from Mount Kenya University and requested for a transfer back home to Gatundu Level Four Hospital. Although excited, his return to Gatundu was not as pleasant as he’d hoped. Isaac was displeased with the quality of service offered at the facility, but as a clinical officer, he was not in an administrative position to implement change. His work began to frustrate him, and he confided in his mother about his desire to be in a workspace where he could have an impact.

His mother had been a great admirer of men and women in uniform. She referenced back to Isaac’s grandfather who was a police officer and how proud she was of his work. She asked Isaac to consider joining the disciplined forces, an idea which he took and ran with. At the time, the Kenya Prisons Service was seeking to recruit and train people to work in their facilities. Isaac attended the recruitment camp and was recommended for training. For nine months, Isaac underwent the paramilitary training required to become a prison officer. This involved basic combat skills, anti-riot training, prisoner correction and rehabilitation, and security training within prison facilities. It was rigorous and intensive, but Isaac was committed to this new challenge. In 2016, after completing the basic instruction, Isaac opted to train for three additional months, after which he earned the title of sergeant.

Later that year, Sergeant Isaac Maina Nduta was posted to the Prison Staff Training College Health Centre in Ruiru as a clinician. He is stationed here to date, offering health services to inmates serving their sentences at Ruiru Prison, as well as the prison’s staff members and the community that lives close by. Isaac has found a way to make an impact through his work. Sports is one of the correctional services recommended for inmates by KPS, and so Isaac volunteers as the team doctor whenever inmates have sports matches with other teams. He travels together with the football team (Green Berets) as well as the volleyball team and gives physiotherapy for the injuries sustained on the pitch.

On 1st January 2020, Isaac received an award from the Kenya Prison Service in recognition of his outstanding performance, dedication, discipline, and commitment to duty. It was the best start to the year and further motivation for him to keep up his good work. We commend Isaac on his work in rehabilitating prisoners and making a change possible.

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