Amref International University Sets-up Campus in Makueni County

Makueni, 22nd October 2021: Amref International University (AMIU), in partnership with the County government of Makueni, hosts a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction of a campus in the county.

The proposed campus, focusing primarily on health sciences training, will be situated along the Makindu-Wote road – a parcel of land donated by the Makueni County government. The new campus is set to bridge the gap in health training for the county, and meet the demand for quality and holistic learning in health sciences. This is in fulfillment of AMIU’s mandate of strengthening leadership, management and governance of health systems across Africa.

According to plans authorised by the AMIU’s Board of Trustees and the University Council, the first phase of development shall kick off in the county between November 2021 and June 2022 – followed by construction of the University’s Institute of Tropical and Community Health in 2023.

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is evidence of a successful partnership between the County Government of Makueni and Amref Health Africa. This is a journey that began with the implementation of joint programmes that have, not only transformed lives of residents of Makueni, but also supported health systems strengthening in the county and beyond. It also demonstrates the power of collaboration between state and non-state actors in enhancing service delivery, and improving access to opportunities for professional growth to the deserving Kenyan people,” said Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO, Amref Health Africa.

“AMIU is offering practical courses and being a premium university, the county government will support the institution to provide holistic education. Inspiring long lasting change is built on values. Amref is a value-based organisation, especially in its engagement with communities.” H.E., Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Governor Makueni County. The Governor also announced plans to build an airstrip in the county to improve access to the university.

On his part, Prof Joachim Osur, the Vice Chancellor, AMIU said, “we are privileged to work closely with the government of Makueni in setting up a Pan-African University – one of its kind in the county. We believe that through such a facility, many health workers will not struggle to access health training facility to acquire requisite skills and knowledge that will reinforce human resources for health infrastructure for Makueni, and the country at large.”

About Amref Health Africa

Amref Health Africa is the largest Africa-based International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) and is headquartered in Kenya. With a focus on increasing sustainable health access, Amref manages programmes in over 35 countries in Africa, with lessons learned over 60 years of engagement with governments, communities, and partners. Amref also engages in programme development, fundraising, partnership, advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation. Amref has offices in Europe and North America and operates its subsidiaries: Amref Flying Doctors, Amref Health Enterprises, and Amref International University.

About Amref International University

Amref International University (AMIU) was established in 2017 as a Premier Pan African University of health sciences fully owned by Amref health Africa. AMIU is founded on the experience and intellect of Amref Health Africa, which is reputed with over 60 years of quality and innovative public and community health interventions in over 30 countries in Africa. AMIU’s focus is on training, research, and extension in health sciences with an emphasis on promotive, preventive, rehabilitative, and palliative health. Its commitment is to progressively develop innovative programmes catering to the present as well as future Africa and global health needs. The University offers postgraduate, undergraduate, higher diploma, diploma, certificate programmes as well as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses that prepare human resources for health to serve throughout the health system. Visit www.amref.ac.ke for more information on our programmes.

For more information, contact:

Betty Buyuka,

Communications Manager, Amref International University. betty.buyuka@amref.ac.ke