By NBM writer
Let’s start with you…
My name is Towett Ngetich. I am a true son of the soil. I am 22 and the CEO Udhabiti Healthcare
Tell us something about your background.
I was born and raised in Nairobi although Kericho is where I call home. My mother was a Public Servant, which meant we moved around a lot, from Nairobi, Nakuru, Kericho, even Vihiga and Kakamega. We are a small family of three, two siblings of a single mum.
What of your education?
I sat for my KCPE at Kericho Primary before joining (The) Duke of York (he laughs). I mean, we might have lost some luster, especially with Matiangi but class is permanent right? Okay, Nairobi School. I am now in my 4th year at Moi University pursuing a degree in Communications and Public Relations.
What’s your motivation in life?
Many things, from Eminem, to San Tzu to Jua Cali but seriously, I’d say my mother. She’s a complete set. She taught us the basics of life, elements of respect, love and hard work.
She shared aspects of being an effective leader and being a man of substance; something we hold dear to this very day, be it in business, education, relationships or work.
Tell us something about your personal achievements including that Insyder Hunk of the year award and the Queen Elizabeth prize. I understand you boast some resume?
Okay, now that you mentioned the Insyder competition I will try and talk about this. So, high school was a whole new level of trying to see what works for you and what does not. Being in Nairobi School was great enough. But being a Captain of Patch Machine (the Nairobi School Rugby team) back then and winning the Insyder completion for the most handsome young man on these shores (we collapse into laughter, the man’s a funny bloke I must admit) back in 2011 were something else, I mean, for a teenager – knowing that people held you in such regard was a big deal.
However being chairperson Journalism club and going ahead to be elected Head of School in 2011/12 was the highlight of my high school days. Being in Moi University has equally shaped me in ways I couldn’t imagine. I represented Kenya in Amman, Jordan at the Global Education First Initiative forum by the United Nations in 2015. Getting selected for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Fund in 2016 was a mind changing experience. I was among the 1000 Africans chosen and funded so as to transform Africa through Entrepreneurship.
Now about your start-up, what’s it all about?
It’s called Uthabiti Healthcare. It seeks to create increased access to safe medicines and medical consultancy services through mobile technology.
How does it work?
With Uthabiti, we connect patients to their nearest pharmacies and from their phones they can order their products of choice which we deliver to their doorstep. Uthabiti healthcare can be found on Google Playstore although currently undergoing beta testing. With the App, a user can access chemists and pharmacies with a 10km radius where the Udhabiti is operational. For a small fee, he can then benefit from expert consultation and delivery of necessary medicine. Call it an Uber for medicine. The Udhabiti concept is what won me the Queen Elizabeth entrepreneurship prize.
How unique is it?
Apart from efficiency and cost friendliness, Udhabiti guarantees integrity. Before we adopt a chemist or pharmacy onto our platform, we do a thorough background check to ensure that we are getting registered and certified pharmacies and medical consultants. There are no fake doctors or counterfeit medicines with us.
I understand it’s a diversion from your communications background. What motivated this shift? Is it a permanent shift?
Well, I don’t really see it as a diversion since Uthabiti is all about the patient, doctor and technology. If you asked me, Everlyne my partner who is a doctor handles any health related issues at Uthabiti. I focus on our customer delivery – how they feel, and how they would always choose us over any other competitor. And that’s achieved clear communication and professional public relations. This however is not a permanent shift. I like to see myself as a smart investor and I always say – I am in Uthabiti for a while, in a couple of years, I will have to move out and hire a better and more qualified CEO to run Uthabiti. And after that, I will move forward and invest in various industries as I maintain my seat as Chair of the Board.
Where did you get the funds to start?
As most first timers, from savings and crowd funding, however the prize money from Tony Elumelu Foundation Fund, I must confess, was a massive boost. But even without money, when people see promise, they can always take a chance with you. That’s what I always tell my brothers and sisters who complain about the lack of funds to start.
Where are you based?
For now we are based in Eldoret.
Do you employ any people?
Yes we do, we have 4 full time. And the rest of our deliverers are paid on commission. We charge the stores for every delivery we make and we charge the doctors for every consultancy they make through our platform
What challenges have you encountered so far?
Many, but most notably however is that on our startup phase, when we pushed the product to the market, no one really wanted to take the chance to test the it. Everyone was skeptical on how it would be possible that, whatever you order is what you get. Pharmacies were also not readily receptive of digital solutions.
Any words of encouragement to young people especially those who want to hack it in the technology world?
Never give up, and till you fail, you’ve not learnt anything yet.
