Daphne Ngunjiri is scaling affordable, tech-enabled primary healthcare for underserved communities across Kenya at Access Afya.
Daphne Ngunjiri is a Kenyan medical doctor and healthcare manager currently serving as the CEO of Access Afya, a for-profit social enterprise delivering affordable, high-quality primary healthcare to low-income communities. Since assuming this role in 2021, she has continued to bring a rare mix of clinical expertise and strategic leadership to the health sector.
Ngunjiri has over 15 years of experience across public hospitals, private practices, and healthtech startups. She earned her medical degree (MBChB) from the University of Nairobi. She later pursued an Executive MBA in Healthcare Management from Strathmore Business School, equipping herself with both frontline and operational experience. Her career began in traditional clinical roles, but her focus shifted toward health systems transformation after witnessing the structural gaps that limited access to quality care in underserved areas.
Daphne Ngunjiri joins Access Afya
Ngunjiri joined Access Afya in its early stages, first as Medical Director and then Managing Director, before being appointed CEO on January 1, 2021. Since then, she has led the expansion of the organisation’s network of branded micro-clinics, which now includes 10 clinics in Nairobi and five franchised sites outside the capital. These clinics provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, including outpatient consultations, laboratory testing, pharmacy services, chronic disease management, family planning, and maternal healthcare, all priced to remain accessible for low-income patients.
Since she assumed leadership, Access Afya has adopted a social franchise model that empowers local healthcare professionals to own and operate clinics under the organisation’s brand. Its “clinic-in-a-box” model enables trained community members to deliver care in the neighbourhoods they understand best, while Access Afya maintains quality through regular supervision, medical support, and business oversight. The franchise approach builds community trust, ensures accountability, and promotes sustainability through local ownership.
One of the significant developments during Ngunjiri’s tenure has been the launch and integration of mDaktari, a virtual clinic app that supports teleconsultations, health screenings, medication coordination, and follow-ups. The platform even incorporates AI tools to assist clinicians in delivering quicker, context-specific responses to patient concerns. Furthermore, Access Afya employs data analytics to capture demographic and health patterns, which aids the organisation in continually improving service delivery while safeguarding patient privacy.
She also supervised the implementation of ultrasound tele-guidance technology to enhance maternal and respiratory care in informal settlements. This initiative greatly increased the availability of ultrasound services, improved diagnostic accuracy, and reduced associated costs in areas where these services were previously inaccessible.
Access Afya in the long term
Access Afya operates as a mission-driven business that balances profitability with social impact. Its operating model is now regarded as a replicable standard for affordable, tech-enabled healthcare in low-resource settings. Daphne Ngunjiri’s long-term vision is to scale the company into the largest, most trusted healthcare franchise in Africa and a leading digital health provider for underserved populations.
