Jackson Njonde, the Second Year Who Co-Founded the Venture That Won Kenya a Continental Award
Njonde Jackson Kamau, a second year medical student at Kenyatta University, won the Global Health Security category at AfyaFest 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, held on 14th to 16th June.The category carried a prize of USD 5,000, about KSh 647,000.
He co-founded Tahsma Healthcare with software developer Teddy Jeremy. The venture provides healthcare financing through an SHA-aligned Buy Now, Pay Later model, so patients can get medicine and services without paying upfront, on credit that grows with their repayment history. It also runs online consultations with specialists and pharmacy delivery with real time stock availability.
The problem is a familiar one. Fewer than one in five Kenyans have health insurance, and out of pocket costs push nearly 1.5 million Kenyans into poverty every year.
Tahsma receives regulatory guidance from Dr. Titus Kahiga, a licensed pharmacist and board member of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and from Dr. John Mwonjoria.
The venture reached Dakar through the KMA Youth4Afya programme, which put it among the top 10 health innovations in Africa. Selection involved pitching to a jury of health experts, investors and policymakers across four categories. Njonde travelled to represent Tahsma after working with his co-founder to refine the pitch and the business model.
AfyaFest 2026 was organised by Amref Health Africa with the DER/FJ under the Africa Health Collaborative programme, with support from the Mastercard Foundation. Over three days, Njonde attended masterclasses, business meetings and pitching sessions covering scaling, business models, fundraising, go to market strategy, regulatory navigation, pharmaceutical innovation and AI in health.
He says the main lesson was that impact is not enough on its own. A venture has to be sustainable to keep serving people. He also points to partnerships, and to the work still ahead on regulatory compliance and on earning the trust of patients and providers.
His message to students is to look beyond medicine. He says innovation happens at the intersections, and that learning to work with people in technology, finance and policy is what turns an idea into something patients can use.
Congratulations, Njonde.
Do you know a medic who deserves this page? Write to us.
