NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 19 — President William Ruto has officially awarded Amref International University (AMIU) a full charter authorizing 12 academic programs following accreditation from the Commission for University Education (CUE).
The milestone elevates AMIU from a training centre to a fully chartered university, strengthening Kenya’s health-education landscape.
The new degree programs include six undergraduate courses namely BSc Health Systems Management and Development, BSc Health Records and Information Management, BSc Community Health Practice, BSc Nursing, BSc Midwifery and Reproductive Health and BSc Physiotherapy.
CEU also approved postgraduate programs in Health Professions Education, Health Systems Management, Bioethics, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Policy, and Public Health with specializations.
Additionally, the institution will offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Bioethics.
Originally founded as the Amref International Training Centre, AMIU grew from Amref Health Africa’s mission to strengthen health systems.
For decades, it trained thousands of community health workers, nurses, and public-health champions, hosting over 2,000 learners annually on short courses. The university now builds on this legacy with a broader academic mandate.
In his remarks, President Ruto highlighted the significance of AMIU’s journey and its potential to shape Kenya’s future health workforce.
The President praised AMIU’s evolution since its establishment in 2017, noting its foundation in real community health needs and Amref Health Africa’s nearly seven decades of service across 30 countries.
“Before there were classrooms, there were outreach teams; before there were degree programs, there were health workers training where the need was greatest; and before there were credentials, there was trust. Today’s honor carries deep meaning — you have built credibility from the ground up, anchored in real human need,” President Ruto said.
AMIU becomes the fourth institution to receive a charter under President Ruto’s administration this year, following Riara University in March, Uzima University in May, and Gretsa University earlier in November, demonstrating the government’s commitment to expanding quality higher education.
With its new status, AMIU will deepen training in nursing and community health while expanding into broader public-health and health-systems disciplines.
The university also aims to establish a Level 6 research and teaching referral hospital dedicated to maternal and child health — a flagship project expected to increase scientific research, create jobs, and curb labour migration in the health sector.
