Purity Wanjiku Mutero a Nurse and the founder of Cancer Hospital and Organic Farm envisioned a life dedicated to caring for humanity, particularly the less fortunate, from an early age. Despite initially pursuing animal health she realised that her true passion lay in caring for human beings. This realization led her to enroll in nursing school eventually paving the way for her entrepreneurial journey.
Today, through her company, Benloma Ventures, Purity successfully manages two businesses; a cancer hospital and organic farm situated in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Born in Nyeri, she describes her path to success as one marked by struggles, determination, and resilience. Purity a self-motivated and smart worker, passionately tackles challenges to achieve her goals.
In 2015, a life changing event unfolded when someone close to her was diagnosed s with colon cancer. The lack of accessible cancer treatment facilities in Kirinyaga and neighboring counties prompted her to endure distressing trips to Nairobi for treatment. This experience became the catalysts for her to establish the cancer hospital, aiming to bridge the gap in cancer treatment services.
Following the success of the hospital, Purity identified another challenge during her interactions with gastrointestinal cancer cases – agrochemical-induced cancers. This revelation led her to venture into organic farming. Initially as a personal pursuit but later evolving into a business that supplies the hospital and caters to patient nutrition.
From its humble beginnings as a level 2 hospital, Kerugoya Fortis Medical and Cancer Centre where Purity serves as a Director, has grown into a level 4 comprehensive hospital with
50 beds, offering various medical services and clinics such as Cancer treatment, Peadiatrics services, ENT services, Palliative Care services, urology, Orthopedics, Dermatology, Gynecology, Dental, Optical and ICU services among others.
Integrity in Business
In 2023, Purity embraced business ethics and compliance training conducted by Twiw’ane Investments Ltd, a franchise holder for the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), in partnership with the Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce. The training focusedd on developing standard procedures, policies and compliance, aiming to de-risk businesses, promote stability, enable growth, and uphold integrity.
According to Grace Nzou, the founder and chief trainer of Twiw’ane Investments Ltd, the workshops are designed to help businesses run professionally, emphasizing key business segments such as finance, human resources, procurement, and customer management.
Participants receive mentorship on business development and strategic growth, and to promote compliance and ethical practices. The businesses that implement the practices are listed on the Ethics 1st Platform. Ethics 1st is a multi-stakeholder initiative led by CIPE that is enabling companies in emerging markets, particularly in Africa, to standardizee their business practices, develop sound corporate governance and business integrity systems, and demonstrating compliance with global partners and business integrity systems, and demonstrate to global partners and counterparts, with the aim of creating pathways for accountable and sustainable investment in the region.
Chairperson of the KNCCI, Kirinyaga County John Mate attests to the positive impact of these trainings, noting that attendees now manage ethical and compliant enterprises. Purity who participated in the workshop, highlighted the invaluable lessons she gained in compliance, business development, and the impact of her character on her business. The training contributed to enhanced understanding of government requirements.
Purity now applies these policies to guide her facility, employees, and herself as a director, fostering a better work environment. Her once perceived hobby or organic farming has transformed into a serious business, enabling her to sell produce to the facility, friends, and family. This newfound business has allowed her to pay herself as a farmer.
Looking ahead Purity envisions becoming a global front liner in mitigating cancer risk factors, advocating for organic farming methods, providing a means of livelihood for young men through organic farming methods specifically arrow roots. Grace reports that the training has positively impacted 150 small businesses in four counties, with 100 businesses listed on Green Category. The Business Ethics program’s success underscores its role in fostering ethical, compliant, and sustainable business practices.
