H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta Awards 10 Scholarships to Advance Health Education and Research
Nairobi, Kenya | 11 July 2025 – Amref International University (AMIU) today marked a transformative milestone with its 6th Graduation Ceremony and the official inauguration of its ultra-modern Northlands Campus in Ruiru.
The event was presided over by the Fourth President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, who was represented by Former First Lady Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta. In a show of commitment to advancing health education, H.E. Kenyatta awarded 10 fully funded scholarships to support bright, deserving students pursuing careers in health sciences.
More than 400 graduates were conferred with degrees, diplomas, and certificates in various health-related disciplines. Under the theme “Localising Innovations to Strengthen Primary Health Care in Africa”, the occasion underscored AMIU’s commitment to building a future-ready health workforce equipped to deliver sustainable, community-centered solutions across the continent.
The ceremony brought together senior government officials, development partners, university leadership, faculty, students, alumni, and representatives from Amref Health Africa. It marked the beginning of a new chapter for AMIU as a regional hub for health education, research, and innovation.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta applauded AMIU for prioritising homegrown solutions to Africa’s health challenges:
“This campus will be instrumental in equipping our communities with locally driven solutions. It is an affirmation of your commitment to localising innovation to strengthen primary health care across Africa. Innovation, advanced indigenous research, policy diversity, compassion, and new technologies—this is now your responsibility,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO of Amref Health Africa, emphasised the importance of expanding Africa-led institutions to localise knowledge and improve access to care:
“We cherish our alliances, global, regional, and local. It is through working together that we can develop sustainable, contextually relevant education models that shape the resilient health systems Africa needs,” he noted.
The Northlands Campus, a flagship investment in health sciences education, features cutting-edge learning spaces, modern laboratories, an innovation hub, and a world-class library. The development was made possible through philanthropic contributions, including a landmark gift from philanthropist Ms MacKenzie Scott and sustained support from institutional partners such as the Kenyatta family.
The new campus is expected to increase student capacity from 2,000 to 10,000 students across physical and virtual learning, meeting the growing demand for health workforce training that reflects both local and international needs.
Prof Joachim Osur, Vice Chancellor of AMIU, underscored the university’s resolve to provide quality, affordable, and relevant education rooted in African realities:
“We have strengthened our focus on community-based education, ensuring that learning is embedded in real-life practice and local health contexts,” he said.
With the graduation of 417 students across diverse health science disciplines and the commissioning of the Northlands Campus, AMIU continues to drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).
Notes to the Editors
About Amref International University
Founded in 2017, Amref International University (AMIU) is a premier Pan-African university dedicated to advancing health sciences education. A proud creation of Amref Health Africa, AMIU draws on over 65 years of expertise in innovative public and community health interventions across more than 30 African countries. The university focuses on training, research, and health sciences extension, with an emphasis on promotive, preventive, rehabilitative, and palliative health. AMIU offers a range of postgraduate, undergraduate, diploma, certificate, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, equipping future health professionals with the skills to meet Africa’s evolving health needs.
Media Contacts
Betty Buyuka
Corporate Communications Manger[email protected]