OUK Partners with Kisii County to Strengthen Healthcare Capacity

Latest News / October 09, 2025

The Open University of Kenya (OUK) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kisii County Government, Department of Health, to foster cooperation in healthcare training, research, and service delivery.

The MoU was formally signed on Wednesday 8th October 2025 at the County Executive Committee (CEC) Office, Department of Health, Kisii County Government, marking a significant step towards enhancing healthcare capacity and building clinical competencies within the region.

The agreement outlines a collaborative framework in clinical education, health research and the application of scientific knowledge to improve patient care outcomes. It also opens opportunities for joint initiatives that align with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and national education goals.

Commitment to Transformative Collaboration

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Christopher Chepken, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and Infrastructure at OUK, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting counties in developing skilled healthcare professionals through flexible, technology-driven learning models.

He noted that OUK’s fully online programs allow healthcare workers to pursue further education without leaving their duty stations—bridging the skills gap and enhancing service delivery in the health sector.

Shared Vision for Improved Health Outcomes

Kisii County’s Chief Officer for Health, Ms. Susan Kalinda, welcomed the collaboration, describing it as timely and transformative. She emphasized that the partnership will empower healthcare workers through continuous professional development, ensuring better patient outcomes and stronger health systems.

Also speaking during the event, Dr. Marita Omeke, Chief Executive Officer, Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, highlighted the importance of linking academic research with hospital practice to promote innovation and improve healthcare delivery.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by:

  • Prof. Christopher Chepken – Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and Infrastructure, OUK
  • Dr. Nickcy Mbuthia– Head, School of Nursing, OUK
  • Ms. Susan Kalinda – Chief Officer, Department of Health, Kisii County
  • Dr. Marita Omeke – Chief Executive Officer, Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital
  • Dr. Richard Onkware – Director of Public Health, Kisii County
  • Mr. Joseph Onyancha – Liaison and Stakeholder Management Officer, OUK
  • Mr. Kepha Omari– Deputy Chief Nurse, Kisii County
  • Mrs. Juliet Ogucha – Deputy M&E Coordinator, Kisii County

Prof. Christopher Chepken (seated right), Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and Infrastructure at the Open University of Kenya, and Ms. Susan Kalinda (seated left), Chief Officer of Health, Kisii County Government, pose for a photo after signing the Memorandum of Understanding. Standing behind them are other distinguished officials from the Open University of Kenya, Dr. Nickcy Mbuthia at the extreme right and the Kisii County Department of Health.

Add new comment

About text formats

Restricted HTML

  • You can align images (data-align="center"), but also videos, blockquotes, and so on.
  • You can caption images (data-caption="Text"), but also videos, blockquotes, and so on.

Categories

About

The Open University of Kenya (OUK) is a virtual learning institution deeply committed to advancing education and driving socio-economic growth within Kenya and beyond. Access to higher education has remained a major challenge in Kenya and this has disadvantaged citizens who seek to improve their knowledge, upscale skills and for posterity. Experts have noted that increasing the number of educational institutions so as to match the rate of population growth is an extremely difficult if not impossible solution especially when financial and other resource constraints are considered. Open and Distance Learning approaches, coupled with innovative ICT solutions, have proofed viable alternatives to providing excellent education to millions of people located wherever and whenever by different life circumstances.