When you meet Jonah Simanka, you meet the kind of person who makes you believe that community health is not just a job, it’s a calling.
“Thank you, EK, for coming through,” he said, his face lighting up. “The health dialogues during medical camps have made a difference. My people are learning. They’re starting to ask questions and take their health seriously. That gives me hope.
He’s warm, calm, and always on the move, quietly holding up an entire community with the kind of energy you can’t teach. To the people of Imbirikani in Kajiado County, Jonah is more than a Community Health Officer; he’s family.
At Entepesi Kenya (EK), we’ve had the privilege of working alongside Jonah through our strong partnership with the Kajiado County Department of Health (KCDH). This partnership isn’t just about coordination; it’s about making an impact, fostering trust, and consistently showing up for the people who need it most.
During our 12-day medical camp in June 2025, Jonah became the heartbeat of our efforts in Imbirikani. Whether it was organizing logistics, ensuring venues were ready for patients, or mobilizing the community days before we arrived, Jonah was there, making it all happen.
“My work is to link community members with the health facility,” he tells us with his signature calm smile. But anyone who’s worked with him knows it’s much more than that. He helps EK reach schools by coordinating with school heads and communities, ensuring smooth communication with Community Health Promoters (CHPs), and supporting the team in every possible way before and during medical camps.
Even before the camp began, Jonah was already on the ground calling, visiting, encouraging, and reminding people about the upcoming services. His mobilization tactics are remarkable, but it’s his compassion that truly leaves a lasting impression.
Working with the County Government of Kajiado, Jonah covers the vast Imbirikani community, where some families walk for hours just to access a health facility. However, Jonah ensures that no one is left behind.
We sat down with him under the shade of an Entepesi (Acacia) tree, where he opened up about the deep challenges his community faces. His tone softened, and you could hear the weight he carries and the hope he refuses to let go of.
“One of the biggest challenges,” he shared, “is the long distance people have to travel to reach a health facility. Some walk for hours, even when they’re sick or carrying small children. It’s heartbreaking.” He paused for a moment, then added, “Another challenge is a lack of information. Many people don’t fully understand their health conditions or how to prevent diseases like hypertension or diabetes. That leaves them vulnerable.”
Despite these challenges, Jonah remains full of gratitude and optimism. “Thank you, EK, for coming through,” he said, his face lighting up. “The health dialogues during medical camps have made a difference. My people are learning. They’re starting to ask questions and take their health seriously. That gives me hope.”
He also expressed concern about the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. He had so much to say about this: “We urgently need more education and awareness on these illnesses. There are so many myths and misconceptions. People suffer in silence or try remedies that don’t work just because they don’t know the truth.” That’s why Jonah values medical camps so deeply. “These camps bring rare services — like lab tests and screenings to areas that usually don’t have access to them. They are so helpful. Please, let’s keep doing them.”
As our conversation drew to a close, Jonah shared one final thought that stayed with us. “When we work together with stakeholders and organizations like Entepesi Kenya, we can do great things. We don’t just bring services. We bring opportunity, awareness, and life-saving knowledge.” We left that meeting with more than just notes and reflections. We left with a powerful reminder of why we do this work. And a quiet, enduring conviction that with leaders like Jonah — and partnerships built on trust and compassion, the future of healthcare in places like Imbirikani is not only possible. It’s already beginning.
“Tell EK thank you,” Jonah said as we stood to leave. “And may God bless you for walking with us. My people truly need you.”
We hear you, Jonah. And we’ll keep walking together. At Entepesi Kenya, we’re not just visiting; we’re walking this road side by side. With Jonah. With the Kajaido County Department of Health. With every mother, father, and child who deserves a shot at health and happiness. The journey is long, but with hearts like Jonah’s lighting the way, we’ll get there.
Would you like to walk with us? Join hands with Entepesi Kenya in bringing healthcare, education, and hope to underserved communities. Partner with us or donate today — and help us continue the journey toward one shared goal:
Quality Health for All.
Click here to support – https://www.entepesikenya.org/donate
