About Us

About Stoma World Kenya

About Stoma World Kenya

Stoma World Kenya (SWK) was founded in 2010 by a group of ostomates who had experienced stigma and discrimination. Since then, the organization has grown to have a membership of over 600 members spread throughout Kenya, with members ranging from 4 to 80 years of age.

An ostomate is a person who has undergone surgery resulting in a stoma - an opening on the abdomen that allows waste (feces or urine) to exit the body and be collected in a removable pouch.

Our Mission

To improve the quality of life for ostomates in Kenya by restoring dignity, hope, and quality of life.

  • Supporting ostomates through provision of care
  • Creating awareness about stoma care
  • Advocating for ostomates rights and dignity

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Members

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Years of Service

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Stoma Clinic

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World Ostomy Award

Our Management Team

Tarsim Singh Devgun

Chairman

Mary Thuo

Vice Chairperson

Alice Wahome

Treasurer

Lilian Ruguru

Programme Manager

Lawrence Gichini

Stoma Therapist

Our Core Programs

Psychosocial Support

Meetings where members share experiences and provide emotional support

Psychosocial Support

Meetings at the Guru Nanak Ramgarhia Sikh temple where members share experiences and provide emotional support

Stoma Appliances

Sourcing and distributing stoma appliances to members

Stoma Appliances

Sourcing and distributing essential stoma appliances to members who often cannot afford these life-changing supplies

Awareness & Advocacy

Creating awareness and advocating for ostomates' rights

Awareness & Advocacy

Advocating for recognition of ostomates with permanent colostomies as persons living with disabilities and inclusion in healthcare coverage

Training

Training members as home-based caregivers and nurses

Training

Training members as home-based caregivers and providing professional development for nurses in stoma care

Stoma Clinic

Operating the first stoma clinic in Eastern Africa

Stoma Clinic

Operating a dedicated stoma management clinic at Guru Nanak Hospital - the first such facility in Eastern Africa

Food Distribution

Providing food support to members in need

Food Distribution

Supporting members with food assistance as stoma management is expensive, forcing many to choose between food and stoma supplies

Key Achievements

World Ostomy Award 2022

Stoma World Kenya was the winner of the World Ostomy Award 2022. The funds received were used to train nurses and home trained visitors in Nakuru, Eldoret, Mombasa, and Nairobi Counties.

First Stoma Clinic in Eastern Africa

SWK launched and operates the first stoma management clinic at the Guru Nanak Hospital in Nairobi. This facility provides ostomates with professional stoma management and advice.

Advocacy Success

Through our advocacy efforts, the government has listed the supply of ostomy appliances as one of the services in the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). Additionally, ostomates with permanent colostomies are now included in the list of persons living with disabilities, providing them with partial exemption to income tax.

Our Partners

Guru Nanak Ramgarhia Sikh Society

Guru Nanak Ramgarhia Sikh Society

Kenya Red Cross

Kenya Red Cross

European Ostomy Association

European Ostomy Association (EOA)

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA (FOW-USA)