Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced a partnership between the county government and Kenyatta University to develop human capital. The partnership aims to expand access to higher education in Mombasa, with Governor Nassir stressing that education remains a cornerstone of his administration's agenda for the development and prosperity of Mombasa. The governor made the announcement during a meeting with Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Okumu at the county headquarters.
The partnership builds on existing collaborations between Mombasa County and institutions of higher learning, including the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) and Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH). Governor Nassir cited the success of the medical school established with TUM, which is now training its second cohort of 12 medical students. The governor's vision is to see 120 doctors from Mombasa trained locally and serving the people of Mombasa and the coastal region.
Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, a Level five referral hospital with a 723-bed capacity, serves over 1 million people in the coastal region and beyond. Governor Nassir aims to elevate and reclassify it to a Level six status, representing the highest tier of tertiary, national teaching, and referral healthcare facilities in the country. Level six hospitals offer specialized medical services, major surgical care, medical research, and clinical training.
The Mombasa County government is also embracing the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework to drive economic growth. Governor Nassir has partnered with the Mombasa-based Kenya Coast National Polytechnic to empower its staff with formal certification. RPL is a structured assessment process that identifies and certifies skills, knowledge, and competencies acquired by an individual through work experience, life activities, or informal training.
Governor Nassir described RPL as a 'transformative tool' for improving employability and driving socio-economic growth. The devolved government provides free Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE), free daily school meals, and newly integrated day-care facilities across public centers. There are 98 public and 770 registered private ECDE centers in Mombasa County, with 47,867 children between the ages of 4-5 years.
Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Okumu led a delegation to explore areas of partnership and collaboration between the county government and the university. Prof. Okumu stated that the partnership would have far-reaching benefits in higher education, economic development, and social empowerment within Mombasa and the wider coastal region. He was accompanied by the Acting Registrar, Administration and Finance, Dr. Faith Nkuru, and Mombasa Campus Director, Dr. James Kathuri.
The partnership between Mombasa County and Kenyatta University is expected to drive research, practical skills, and technology transfer. Other universities with campuses in Mombasa include the University of Nairobi (UoN), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Moi University, and Cooperative University of Kenya. Governor Nassir emphasized that local residents should take advantage of the expanded educational campuses in Mombasa to spur socio-economic growth and secure equal opportunities.
Key points
- Mombasa County partners with Kenyatta University to expand access to higher education and drive socio-economic growth.
- The partnership builds on existing collaborations with institutions like TUM and CGTRH.
- The county government aims to elevate CGTRH to a Level six status and train 120 doctors locally.
