Dr Bundi Karau's memoir, ‘Escort-in-Chief: Through the Eyes of a Physician' calls for compassionate medicine

A new memoir by physician and academic Dr Bundi Karau was unveiled at Kenya Methodist University (KeMU), with speakers urging medical professionals to balance scientific excellence with empathy in patient care.

The book, ‘Escort-in-Chief: Through the Eyes of a Physician’, was officially launched by Prof Rose Kosgei on behalf of Prof Fredrick Were, chairperson of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).

In a speech delivered during the launch, Prof Kosgei described the memoir as “more than a book,” saying it captures the emotional realities of medical practice.

“We do not always have the power to cure, but we are called to accompany,” she said, emphasizing that technical excellence without empathy is incomplete.

She urged students to adopt the book as a practical guide, noting that “a broken doctor cannot heal a broken patient.”

Kosgei also reflected on her own childhood in rural Kenya, recounting how she walked barefoot to school and read books while grazing livestock experiences she said shaped her academic journey and underscored the transformative power of literature.

Speaking at the event, Prof John Kobia Ataya, Vice Chancellor of KeMU, challenged medical students to approach their training with seriousness and resilience.

He cautioned against complacency, noting that many students “behave and talk like doctors until the examination comes,” and stressed that medicine is a demanding discipline requiring both intellectual and emotional commitment.

Karau, who serves as Associate Dean at the KeMU School of Medicine and Pharmacy, said the book reflects both personal and professional struggles within a changing health care landscape.

He highlighted the need for adaptability, warning that “we are changing with times or else we face extinction,” and spoke about overcoming perfectionism and self-doubt in his own journey.

He also pointed to shifting global health trends, noting increased life expectancy alongside rising stress and lifestyle-related conditions driven by modern diets.

“We need happiness and purposeful living, not lives defined by pain,” he said.

Karau noted that the enduring influence of storytelling and literature in shaping careers, citing the impact of works such as ‘Gifted Hands’ by Ben Carson and ‘The River and the Source’ by Margaret Ogola.

He credited such books with inspiring generations of students to pursue medicine, including his own journey.

The author said the presence of young students at the launch was particularly meaningful, expressing hope that the memoir would inspire a new generation to pursue purposeful lives.

“Books are living things. They change lives, alter destinies and shape futures,” he said.

The event, held on Friday, brought together university leadership, medical professionals, students and stakeholders, marking a significant moment for medical education and storytelling in Kenya.