Doctor who sleeps and cycles for fun

Fifth Avenue Building, along Ngong Road, holds many memories for me. It’s where my mother saw her cardiologist before her demise. On this day I’m visiting another medical practitioner, Dr Ahmed Kalebi, Lancet Kenya’s MD.

His is a journey from growing up poor in Kibera to owning a state of the art pathology centre, which he and his wife, Kamari Makka, set up three years ago.

On his table is a gigantic 1,200-page book on Skin Pathology, an intimidating microscope and numerous glass slides. A bare but functional office. This is a man who does not take anything for granted and attributes his success to brilliance, discipline and Allah’s grace.

Our conversation is about his background, passion for medicine and success. His insights are inciting. But we start it all with the question of death and mortality.

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You are constantly peering down microscopes staring at death’s agents. Does this change your view on death?

Death is inevitable. As a doctor you have to eventually arrive at this point of acceptance. Medicine is not really about life and death; it’s about understanding the basis of diseases and how to manage them.

So you don’t fear death?

I have my faith but coupled with my scientific background I have come to appreciate death more than most ordinary people.

With such sophisticated medical advancements, why are we dying of cancer more than before?

Its many things, lifestyle, diet, and environment. Also, the awareness is now more because we are able to diagnose it.

How would you like to die, if you were ever given a choice, old age maybe?

(Wry smile) Certainly not old age! Thing is you can’t choose how you die when you didn’t choose to be born. Death just happens.

OK, fine. So what’s the secret to a long healthy life then?

There was a 108-year-old Japanese who was asked that and he said; drink urine once a day, no alcohol, keep one woman in your life, don’t smoke, exercise, eat white meat.

In the UK another 120-year-old was asked the same and he said: drink alcohol; smoke if you want to, exercise if you need to, eat steak and live your life fully. You see my point?

Sure. You seem like a recluse, what do you do for fun?

I like to stay at home and sleep. I appreciate family time with my wife and four kids. I like reading current affairs. I swim, occasionally, and cycle with my kids.

Having grown up in Kibera, with all the hardship, what does money mean to you now?

Growing up poor, your boundaries are wide open. There aren’t that many expectations; life is an open challenge. Money doesn’t mean much to me because I hardly see my money. Growing up in a place like Kibera means you have tons of people depending on you.

You have to help them because you understand their situation. I have raised all my seven siblings. I support orphans. The other day we were leaving for a family holiday in Mara when a relative called to ask for school fees for his kids. A whole terms fees was what we were to spend in one night.

It seemed unfair. I sat my kids down and explained to them and we agreed we would go for only one night and pay the school fees. If I have money it just never stays in my pocket. (Smiling) I’m not poor, just broke.

Sounds like success is working against you.

(Laughs) More money means more responsibilities. My quality of happiness has not changed since I got privileged; it’s only the quality of life that has changed. I will tell you this; happiness means achieving and giving.

Who inspires you?

I was raised by a village, so my grandparents inspire me.

Seems trivial but what car do drive?

I don’t drive. Why should I pay millions for a car that I will drive from my house - 10 minutes away- only to come park and pay exorbitant parking fees as it sits ideal the whole day? I use a cab. It creates employment, gives someone else a chance to grow.

I ask all Muslims I interview this question; are you going to marry a second wife?

(Chuckles) No. I’m a one-woman-one-life kind of guy. What’s the benefit of having two wives? A bed is a bed, isn’t it?