From House help to Owning Hospital Branches: Story of Salome Chiira

Chiira, who got pregnant at the tender age of 13, detailed her journey of raising her child with the help of her supportive parents.

In a particular interview, She stated that her parents encouraged her to return to school three months after delivery.

According to Chiira, her die-hard and optimistic spirit saw her soar higher despite working as a house help in South B, a middle-class neighbourhood in Nairobi.

 “I am a go-getter, I better crawl to get to where I want to go. I also rely on God to guide me in my job. I do not say, unfortunately. I use fortunately I got pregnant because my firstborn is my anchor,” she explained.

The entrepreneur went to the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) to pursue a career as a nurse while her parents took care of her child.

“My patients come first. I love being in the field because of my uncle, who was a doctor. He inspired me. I also have two aunts who were nurses.

“As a child, I had a bad experience getting an injection and vowed to be a good nurse to serve other patients,” she narrated her experience.

However, her rise to the top was no walk in the park. She worked as a nurse in several hospitals before founding Radiant Group of Hospitals, whose capital was her biggest challenge.

She explained that, at one point, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) closed down her hospital due to a lack of license.

She lost part of the capital she had used to purchase her supplies and had to fend off bad publicity when the media labelled her staff as quacks.

Chiira, the optimistic entrepreneur she is, strategised to re-open the hospital and remain afloat.

“We had an account, but the lifestyle indicated they were taking it from the company. I had to call for a crisis meeting to discuss how we would handle the finances. I started taking the recruitment process seriously to get the right fit for the job,” she recalled

She also set aside funds to cater to the facelift of the hospital and prioritised getting more suppliers.

While narrating her journey, Chiira noted that as a woman in a male-dominated industry, it was key to put her best foot forward to keep up.

During her first week of service, the entrepreneur noted that she prayed for anyone to enter the hospital.

“My main target is the middle-class group of the nation who need affordable healthcare services,”  she added.

As Kenyans continue to look for alternative sources of income to deal with the high cost of living, Chiira encouraged them to be optimistic and consistent in what they are doing.

“Stop feeling sorry for yourself despite your current source of income. With the right attitude, you can grow your business with great skills. It is a matter of believing in yourself and trusting in God,” she advised.

The 13-year-old teen mom currently has five hospital branches across the city ranked in the level 5, level 4, and level 3b categories.

Lesson from Chira’s Story

You do not have to let your background or situation around limit you. You have to get up, dust yourself and press on.