By Nyang’au Araka
When the history of at least four major private hospitals in the Gusii region and North Rift is finally written, Dr Orwenyo Ezekiel Archimedes will occupy a prominent place in its pages.
A pioneering obstetrician and gynaecologist, Kenya’s version of Greek mathematician and physist helped shape private healthcare in the two regions through the establishment of medical facilities that have served generations of patients.
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His name is particularly associated with Nyangena Hospital in Kisii, Mama Birita Hospital and Racecourse Hospital in Eldoret, institutions that reflect his vision of expanding access to medical care beyond public hospitals.
But the story of Dr Archimedes is also the story of a village boy whose exceptional academic ability earned him a name borrowed from ancient Greece, and who went on to build a career around saving lives and bringing new life into the world.
Dr Archimedes died after a battle with a rare form of cancer and will be laid to rest today, Friday, leaving behind a legacy that stretches from his birthplace in Nyamira County to the healthcare institutions he established and the families he served.
Born on September 1, 1952, in Nyakongo village of Nyamira County, to the late Nicodemus Orwenyo and Birita Orwenyo, he began his education at Nyakongo Primary School before proceeding to Itierio Secondary School for his O-level studies.
He later joined Kenyatta High School, then known as Kenyatta College, for his A-level education.
His journey to becoming a medical doctor was supported by members of the Manga Young Association, particularly Obonyo, Nyangweso, Mwambi and Keura, whose contribution to his early education his family has acknowledged.
At the University of Nairobi (UON), where he enrolled for his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), his exceptional ability in mathematics earned him the Greek name Archimedes, after the celebrated ancient mathematician and scientist.
The name stuck, becoming part of his identity and eventually accompanying him into a distinguished medical career.
According to information from the family, he proceeded to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology, completing his master’s degree in 1983, and he got posted to Bungoma District Hospital as the facility’s first obstetrician and gynaecologist.
It was an important assignment that placed him at the forefront of specialist maternal healthcare in the region.
After working at the hospital briefly, he ventured into private practice in 1987, a decision that would define much of his professional legacy.
With medical expertise and an entrepreneurial outlook, he established healthcare facilities that expanded access to services while creating opportunities for other medical professionals.
Nyangena Hospital in Kisii became one of the most prominent institutions associated with his name, before he established Mama Birita Hospital, named in honour of his mother, and Racecourse Hospital in Eldoret.
His son-in-law, Dr Ronald Isaboke, in a tribute, described him as “a pioneer in obstetrics and gynaecology in Western Kenya, an entrepreneur whose vision extended to the establishment of five hospitals.”
Dr Archimedes earned admiration for his relationship with patients and colleagues.
His medical and clinical team remembers him as “a father figure who offered guidance, encouragement and practical assistance whenever they needed it.”
Former patients have also recalled his accessibility and personal commitment to their wellbeing, with one family crediting him with helping bring their children into the world. Even when busy, he would reportedly make time to attend to patients who called him.
That dedication, his family says, continued even during his illness.
Dr Archimedes married Sister Teresa Bonareri Orwenyo in 1983, and together they raised a family of six children, including Dr David Momanyi Orwenyo, Dr Stephen Matoke Orwenyo, Dr James Ogeto Orwenyo, Sister Mary Kerubo and Dr Daniel Mwambi Orwenyo.
According to Dr Archimedes’ eulogy seen by this writer, most of his children and members of his extended family have pursued careers in medicine, reflecting the professional environment and values he cultivated at home.
“He was a mentor and pillar whose lessons went beyond professional success to include integrity, resilience, discipline and purposeful living,” his children wrote.
For his grandchildren, Dr Archimedes was a fun-loving grandfather who enjoyed watching television with them, sharing snacks, telling stories about his childhood and helping them with difficult mathematics homework.
He also took pride in their academic achievements and attended their graduation ceremonies, and this got more evident when he established the first ever school that offers international curriculum in Kisii.
One of his brothers, Dr Ziruel Magare, recalls how Dr Archimedes paid for two surgeries and ensured that he received medication from his pharmacy without charge, describing his support as a lifeline that gave him health, time and hope.
His son-in-law, Dr Isaboke, remembers their conversations about medicine, family and world affairs, as well as his humour and enthusiasm for his work.
In 2019, Dr Archimedes was diagnosed with thymic squamous cell carcinoma, a rare type of cancer. He began chemoradiation treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital and also sought medical review and advice in France.
The cancer went into remission before recurring in the months preceding his death and progressing rapidly.
Despite the difficult journey, his family remembers him as positive and resilient, continuing to place his patients’ needs ahead of his own.
A Seventh-day Adventist, he fellowshipped in Bungoma, Kisii and Gesima, maintaining his Christian faith throughout his life.
In discussions seen in Whatsapp community groups such as Nyamira News and Updates, there was near consensus that while Archimedes was originally bestowed on him because of his mathematical brilliance, the legacy he leaves behind is reflected in the hospitals he established, the medical professionals he inspired and the families whose lives were changed through his work.
