Dr. James Waweru Kamau

Dr. James Waweru Kamau is an endocrinologist at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi — Kenya's national referral and teaching hospital and East Africa's largest public hospital. With over 12 years of specialist experience, he manages the full range of endocrine disorders with particular focus on diabetes mellitus — one of the fastest-growing non-communicable disease burdens in sub-Saharan Africa — and thyroid disorders. Dr. Kamau practices in a resource-conscious environment, adapting evidence-based international guidelines to the Kenyan healthcare context while advocating for access to insulin, glucose monitoring, and thyroid medications for his patients. He is an active voice in Kenyan diabetes awareness and prevention efforts.

Dr. Kamau completed his MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) at the University of Nairobi, followed by an MMed (Master of Medicine) in Internal Medicine — the principal postgraduate medical specialist qualification in Kenya — through the University of Nairobi's postgraduate programme at Kenyatta National Hospital. He subsequently undertook fellowship training in endocrinology and metabolism, developing specialist competency in diabetes, thyroid disease, and adrenal disorders. He is registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council and is an active member of the Kenya Endocrine Society and the Kenya Medical Association.

Dr. Kamau's primary clinical focus is on diabetes mellitus — including Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, and rare forms such as MODY — with expertise in insulin therapy initiation and optimisation, continuous glucose monitoring, and management of diabetic complications including nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy (in coordination with ophthalmology and nephrology). For thyroid disease, he manages hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism (including Graves' disease and toxic nodular goitre), and performs or coordinates thyroid ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for nodule assessment. He also manages PCOS, metabolic syndrome, and adrenal disorders.

Nairobi is East Africa's major international hub and Kenyatta National Hospital is the region's largest referral hospital. Dr. Kamau sees patients from across Kenya and accepts referrals from neighbouring East African countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. He consults in Swahili and English. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is well connected across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. For patients from the East African diaspora returning for specialist care, or expatriates living in Kenya, Dr. Kamau provides endocrinology services aligned with internationally recognised guidelines. Patients are advised to verify credentials with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council independently.

Dr. Kamau is an active member of the Kenya Endocrine Society and participates in the Endocrine Society of East Africa, contributing to regional endocrinology education and clinical guideline adaptation for the East African context. He has attended International Diabetes Federation (IDF) World Diabetes Congress and regional African diabetes conferences, bringing back updated treatment protocols. He contributes to diabetes education programmes for patients and healthcare workers at KNH and participates in WHO and IDF initiatives to improve diabetes care access in sub-Saharan Africa. He mentors internal medicine residents at Kenyatta National Hospital.