Kabarnet University College has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Baringo County Referral Hospital to support the establishment of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programme, marking another important milestone in the College’s growing health sciences portfolio and preparations for the planned January 2027 rollout.
The MoC was signed on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the Baringo County Referral Hospital Boardroom, bringing together senior officials from the Baringo County Government, the County Department of Health, Baringo County Referral Hospital and Kabarnet University College.
The signing was attended by the County Executive Committee Member for Health, Mr. Reuben C. Ruto; Chief Officer, Medical Services, Dr. Nancy Chesir; Chief Officer, Public Health, Mr. Evans Ruto; County Director of Health Services, Dr. Joseph Kangor; County Nurse in Charge, Mr. Simeon Tuitoek; and BCRH Nurse in Charge, Mrs. Rosina Kiptarus among others.
Kabarnet University College was represented by the Principal, Prof. Daniel C. Rotich; Ag. Deputy Principal, Finance and Administration, Prof. Cheboi Yegon; and Ag. Deputy Registrar, Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Jacob Yego. County Attorney Patricia Tororei also took part in the formal signing and exchange of the agreement.
The MoC establishes a framework for a mutually beneficial partnership focused on the training of health professionals and service to the community. It provides for collaboration in training, mentorship, clinical research, staff development, quality improvement, internship, patient care and community development.
Under the agreement, Kabarnet University College School of Nursing and Health Sciences will provide Senate-approved curricula developed in conformity with health professionals’ training regulatory requirements, together with an implementation strategy to guide the conduct of training. The College will also provide trainee placement schedules, define the expected learning outcomes and support a holistic approach to patient-care training.
Baringo County Referral Hospital will provide an environment that optimises students’ learning opportunities, including protecting learning time during clinical care provision. The hospital will provide space to support learning activities, including laboratory exposure and internet access, and will collaborate with the College in clinical teaching, mentorship, supervision and assessment of students during their clinical attachments.
The partnership also provides for collaboration in research. KUC will offer technical support and oversight for student, faculty and hospital-led research projects and take the lead in seeking research grants and partnerships. BCRH will nominate a hospital health research liaison person to work with the KUC research team and, in accordance with existing data protection regulations, facilitate access to relevant clinical data for approved research activities.
Patient care is another key component of the collaboration. BCRH will continue to invest in health-system strengthening and support innovations in healthcare delivery that promote access to quality care. KUC’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences will participate in patient care in training hospitals, including remote consultation where applicable, while supporting training and mentorship of staff in the facilities.
Seven hospitals assessed as KUC prepares for January 2027
The signing of the MoC is taking place alongside a broader process to prepare the clinical training infrastructure required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programme. A joint team is undertaking site assessments of seven hospitals in Baringo County to ascertain their preparedness to support the programme and provide suitable clinical learning environments for students when the programme begins in January 2027.
Baringo County Referral Hospital, which hosted the MoC signing, is one of the seven facilities included in the assessment. On Thursday, 24 September, the team also proceeded to Kituro Hospital and Kabartonjo Hospital as part of the first day’s assessment visits.
On Friday, 25 September, the assessment team is scheduled to visit Marigat Hospital, Tenges Hospital, Eldama Ravine Hospital and Mogotio Hospital.
The seven-facility assessment is an important part of the preparations for the nursing programme, allowing the teams to examine the facilities and establish their readiness to support the clinical component of training.
The exercise demonstrates the College’s approach of putting the necessary academic and clinical structures in place ahead of the programme’s commencement rather than waiting until students report.
Positioning KUC for a global nursing profession
Speaking during the engagement, KUC Principal Prof. Daniel C. Rotich highlighted the College’s forward-thinking approach to professional training.
“As a forward-thinking institution, Kabarnet University College is preparing its nursing students not only for the local healthcare environment, but also for opportunities in the global healthcare sector.”
The College is developing opportunities around nursing education, professional development, NCLEX preparation and international nursing career pathways in partnership with Innovative Forward-Thinking Solutions (IFT).
“Our goal is to produce global medical professionals whose credentials are recognised internationally and who are equipped to serve wherever their professional journey takes them,” KUC principal said.
The initiative is designed to support aspiring and qualified nurses through nursing education and professional development while exposing them to international nursing career and licensure pathways.
For KUC, this international perspective forms part of a broader objective of producing health professionals whose education, skills and professional credentials can position them to pursue opportunities in different healthcare systems while maintaining a strong foundation in local clinical practice.
The College’s approach incorporates academic excellence, student-centred support, career development, digital access and professional development alongside exposure to international nursing pathways.
The proposed Bachelor of Science in Nursing programme therefore sits within a wider vision for health sciences education at Kabarnet University College. The College is seeking to combine classroom-based academic preparation with clinical experience, research, professional development and an understanding of the evolving demands of the healthcare profession.
The development of the nursing programme also reflects the evolution of Kabarnet University College itself. The institution is moving beyond its early years and increasingly establishing the partnerships, academic programmes and professional pathways required to support its long-term growth.
The collaboration with Baringo County Government and Baringo County Referral Hospital provides KUC with an important clinical partner within the county, while the ongoing assessment of seven hospitals expands the clinical network being considered for the programme.
