-The Kisumu Deputy Governor Owili rallies golfers in bold push for free maternal screening and hails 10 years of Jamu Magic.
-For ten remarkable years, the JIF, under the patronage of Dr. Peter Umara, has stood as a beacon of hope, championing education, nurturing talent and expanding access to affordable healthcare in Kenya’s most underserved communities.
-And as the sun set over Nyali’s iconic greens, Dr. Owili led the gathering in a solemn moment of silence in honor of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, describing Baba as a great believer in the power of people, community and sport to unite the nation.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-MOMBASA.
It was pomp, glamour and pure golfing magic at the lush Nyali Golf & Country Club on October 3, 2026, as golfers, sponsors and dignitaries converged for the Jamu Imaging Foundation (JIF) Charity Golf Tournament, a spectacular event marking ten years of life-changing philanthropy.
The chief guest, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, brought the house down with a passionate, soul-stirring address that turned the fairways into a pulpit for hope, health and humanity.
Amid thunderous applause, star golfer Susan Stokes emerged the overall winner of the highly competitive tournament, lighting up the par-71 championship course with a masterclass of precision drives, clinical chips and ice-cool putts.
But beyond the trophies and the leaderboard, it was the cause that stole hearts with Owiti saying, “I bring you warm greetings from the Great County of Kisumu. Today, we are gathered on these magnificent greens not just for the love of the game, but to celebrate a monumental milestone,” said Dr. Owiti.
For ten remarkable years, the Jamu Imaging Foundation, under the patronage of Dr. Peter Umara and Co-founder Felix Obara, has stood as a beacon of hope, championing education, nurturing talent and expanding access to affordable healthcare in Kenya’s most underserved communities.
Dr. Owili paid glowing tribute to the Foundation’s resilience and vision, describing the decade-long journey as a testament to profound love for the people.
The proceeds from this year’s tournament will directly fuel the Mobile Imaging and Screening Initiative, with a deliberate and noble focus on maternal health.
By subsidizing imaging and early diagnostic services for vulnerable mothers, the initiative seeks to dismantle the geographical and financial barriers that deny women life-saving care.
“You are not just offering medical intervention; you are protecting life, keeping families whole, and taking concrete steps to actualize Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda,” Owili told the cheering golfers.
In an emotional moment, the Deputy Governor reminded the gathering that every mother deserves timely and quality healthcare throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
“No woman should be disadvantaged because she comes from an underserved community or because she cannot afford a diagnostic procedure,” he said.
Drawing parallels with Kisumu’s sporting philanthropy, Owili noted how the Kisumu Heart Run and the Standard Chartered Marathon have mobilized resources and uplifted communities saying, “What you are doing here today in Mombasa seamlessly echoes that exact same spirit. Golf, much like our marathons, is proving to be a powerful vehicle for social transformation.”
Turning to the golfers, he delivered his most memorable line of the day, noting that, “Every drive, chip, and putt you make is a stroke against healthcare inequality.”
He challenged participants to give generously and play with purpose, reminding them that their swing translates into tangible hope for a mother in dire need of screening.
In a major announcement that drew loud cheers, Dr. Owili welcomed Jamu Imaging Foundation’s proposal to partner with the County Government of Kisumu in rolling out a medical camp focused on maternal, newborn and child health.
“We are grateful for this gesture of partnership and look forward to working together to translate this proposal into a meaningful intervention that reaches communities across Kisumu County,” he said.
He cited Kisumu’s health milestones as proof that partnerships work saying that ten years ago, the county lost 66 children under the age of five for every 1,000 live births and today, that figure has declined to 37 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“This progress is not merely a statistic. It represents lives saved, families strengthened and communities given a better chance to thrive,” he said, crediting healthcare workers, parents, communities and partners like UNICEF through the Child Nutrition Fund Program.
Owili emphasized that no single institution can solve Kenya’s complex health challenges alone. Government must provide policy, private sector brings investment and innovation, development partners bring resources, while foundations bring communities closer to interventions.
“That is why today’s tournament is important. Every sponsor, every partner and every participant is helping to create an opportunity for someone who may never know your name. That is the beauty of philanthropy,” he said.
He praised non-profits for keeping the human being at the Centre of development, noting that behind every statistic is a mother, behind every screening is a person, behind every diagnosis is a family.
As the sun set over Nyali’s iconic greens, Dr. Owili led the gathering in a solemn moment of silence in honor of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, describing Baba as a great believer in the power of people, community and sport to unite the nation.
“May his memory continue to inspire us to serve, to unite and to give back to our communities,” he said.
He congratulated Susan Stokes and all golfers, wished the Jamu Imaging Foundation many more years of service, innovation and impact, and closed with a rallying call, “May we continue to play together, partner together and give together, for healthier communities and a healthier Kenya.”
ENDS.
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