It is not quite often to find exceptional doctors who have traded in their science of medical practice to enter into the complex world of politics.
The medical personnel turned politicians perfectly mastered the art of politics - with few people recalling their medical background.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at five politicians who are no strangers to the surgical field.
Boni Khalwale
On Saturday, June 24, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was praised for performing a two-hour emergency surgery on a lecturer allegedly attacked by his son.
The senator revealed that the lecturer had incurred severe wounds inflicted by a machete. The tutor was rushed to Mukumu Hospital in Kakamega, prompting the medics to summon Khalwale, a professional doctor.
Khalwale performed the surgery to prevent the bleeding as doctors rushed to stabilise the patient. The senator graduated with a Bachelor of medicine degree in 1987.
After graduation, he practised as a medical officer from 1988 to 1998. Two years later, he began his own private practice as a doctor in Mombasa and moved his clinic to Kakamega where he continued his practice until 2002.
Jaldesa Waqo
A renowned lecturer at the University of Nairobi Department of Obstetrics And Gynaecology, Professor Waqo practised in the medical field from 1990 to 2009.
The former Moyale MP graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and further pursued his Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UoN from 1993 to 1997.
At the time, he began his career as an intern at the Ministry of Health and upgraded his rank to a senior medical officer. In 2009, he began lecturing at UoN and three years later, he became an assistant professor.
Robert Pukose
The incumbent Endebess MP undertook his undergraduate medical degree at the University of Nairobi. Pukose began his practice as an intern at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and upgraded to a medical officer at Kabarnet District Hospital.
Afterward, he pursued his Master of Medicine in General Surgery in 2003. In 2008, he returned to his practice as a District Medical Officer at the Koibatek District Hospital before proceeding to Kabarnet District Hospital.
Pukose ventured into politics in 2013 where he vied for the Endebess Constituency seat and won. In 2022, he was re-elected to the position under United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
Nyikal James Wambura
Nyikal, who is serving his third term as a Member of Parliament for Seme Constituency, pursued his undergraduate degree in medicine and surgery in 1977.
He later pursued his Master in Medicine Pediatrics and Child Health and graduated in 1994. Afterward, he lectured at UoN before becoming the Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Association from 1997 to 2003.
The politician also served on the executive board of the World Health Organisation and held high positions at the Ministry of Health. He ventured into politics in 2013 and has since served in the position.
Sam Ongeri
The octogenarian pursued a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from 1961 to 1966 at the University of Bombay. He also graduated with a Diploma in child health and possesses a certificate in Immunology. The professor was first elected in 1988 and has served in various ministries.
He clinched the Kisii Senatorial bid in 2017 but failed to clinch the gubernatorial race in the 2022 General Election. He garnered 3,782 votes while UDA's Ezekiel Machogu got 82,104 votes. Orange Democratic Movement (ODM's Simba Arati clinched the seat with 270,928 votes.
