President William Ruto Directs Ksh. 60 Million Grant for Completion of UEAB School of Nursing Building
By Dr. Nathan Gitonga, UEAB Media
Baraton, August 18, 2024: The University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, and the community in and around the institution are set to immensely benefit from the Ksh. 60 million grant that President William Samoei Ruto has directed the Cabinet Secretary for Education Hon. Julius Migosi Ogamba, to make toward the completion of the under-construction school of nursing building at the university. The announcement cheered the UEAB community so much, and this is but another milestone for the University in its aggressive expansion strategy to meet the demand for nursing education in Kenya.
The University of Eastern Africa, Baraton occupies a unique place in the history of higher education in Kenya since it is the first institution in this country to train nurses at the first degree level. This course has witnessed a tremendous rise in demand over the years, as students flock to it from all over the country. However, the present capacity is unable to accommodate the ever-growing numbers of applicants that the university has been receiving in recent years.
The new School of Nursing building will go a long way toward increasing the capacity of the university in terms of admitting more nursing students for training, an area greatly needed in the healthcare sector. This will enable the UEAB to move toward expanding its state-of-the-art infrastructure and retaining its high standards in training relevantly skilled professionals in nursing and midwifery—the very cornerstones of any effective health system in Kenya.
The President’s directive was in response to an appeal made by the University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jackson Mmamba Msafiri, PhD, while addressing the 42nd graduation ceremony. In his speech, the Vice Chancellor brought out what challenges the university is facing in expanding the nursing program and appealed to the government to complete the new building by pointing out those challenges. The prompt, positive response by the President is evidence that his administration is dedicated to supporting higher education and addressing key national needs like healthcare.
While at that, Ksh. 60 million grant means more than its financial boost; it also tangibly endorses the role of the university in shaping the future of healthcare in Kenya. With a new School of Nursing building increasing the capacity of the university, UEAB looks forward to continued market leadership in nursing education and training of the next generation of nurses to make substantial contributions to health and well-being in communities countrywide.
The announcement was warmly received by the students, faculty, and the larger community of Baraton, all of whom recognize the vital importance of the development. The new building is going to be of paramount significance—not only in serving directly the needs of the university but also in symbolizing government support given to education and health.
As the School of Nursing building completion nears its end, the whole University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, eagerly awaits improved facilities and enhancement opportunities to greatly benefit current and future students. It is yet another chapter in the long history of pioneering nursing education within UEAB in Kenya.