By WMW
Outspan Global University (OGU) has officially received a Letter of Interim Authority from the Commission for University Education (CUE), clearing the way for the institution to begin offering university-level education in Kenya.
The milestone was marked during a ceremony held at the university’s main campus on the outskirts of Nyeri town, where Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe presided over the event.
The Letter of Interim Authority represents formal recognition by Kenya’s university regulator that the institution has met the foundational requirements necessary to operate as a university.
With the approval, Outspan Global University becomes the 84th university in Kenya, signaling continued expansion of the country’s higher education sector.
Speaking during the event, officials said the recognition affirms the institution’s vision to build a university focused on addressing evolving healthcare needs while producing professionals equipped to serve both local and global communities.
The university is built on more than two decades of healthcare delivery and training through the well-known Outspan Hospital. Its founders say the existing hospital infrastructure will enable the institution to combine academic training with practical clinical experience.
“This recognition marks a significant milestone in our journey to establish a university that integrates academic excellence with hands-on healthcare training,” officials from the institution said.
The university plans to begin offering degree programmes in Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine and Community Health, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
The programmes are designed to strengthen the country’s health workforce while responding to rising demand for skilled healthcare professionals.
Officials say the institution will leverage an ecosystem of healthcare infrastructure, experienced faculty and strong industry partnerships to deliver training that is both relevant and responsive to modern health challenges.
CUE Chief Executive Officer Mike Kuria said the Letter of Interim Authority is an important step in the process of establishing a fully accredited university, noting that institutions must continue to meet regulatory requirements as they grow their academic programmes and governance structures.
Under Kenya’s higher education regulatory framework, universities operate under interim authority while they build academic capacity, infrastructure and governance systems required for full accreditation.
The ceremony attracted leaders from the county and national government as well as stakeholders in the education and healthcare sectors.
Among those present were Deputy Governor David Kinaniri Waroe, who represented Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, alongside university leadership and members of the institution’s governing bodies.
Other dignitaries included Chancellor Marion Mutugi, founder Macharia Kiruhi, Vice Chancellor Paul Mungai Mbugua, University Council Chair Mathu Ndung’u, Chair of the Board of Trustees Gachahi Gitahi and Chair of the Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund Mary Wambui.
Leaders attending the ceremony said the new university is expected to contribute significantly to the training of healthcare professionals and to the broader socio-economic development of the region.
The institution also aims to position itself as a centre of excellence in healthcare education, research and innovation, focusing on developing professionals who are not only technically skilled but also compassionate and globally competitive.
With the interim authority now secured, Outspan Global University will begin the next phase of its development, including student admissions, programme implementation and expansion of its academic and research activities.
Education stakeholders say the establishment of the institution reflects growing investment in specialised training institutions that align higher education with industry needs, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare.
University officials expressed optimism that the institution will play a key role in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals capable of responding to emerging medical challenges both within Kenya and beyond.
Suleiman Mbatiah