Mount Kenya University (MKU), through the Department of Dental Sciences under its College of Health Sciences, has reaffirmed its commitment to community wellbeing by extending its outreach initiatives to Kapenguria, West Pokot County.
In celebration of World Oral Health Day 2026, the University conducted a free dental outreach on Thursday, 19th March 2026, at Makutano School in Kapenguria.
The event formed part of MKU’s university-wide Supporting Communities campaign, aimed at strengthening public engagement and ensuring access to preventive healthcare services across Kenya. Supported by MKU alumni, faculty, and students, the outreach sought to raise oral health awareness and provide essential dental care to underserved communities in the region.
Organised during the ongoing Oral Health Awareness Week, the initiative was spearheaded by MKU alumna Ms Christine Semekal, CEO of Oral Health Mashinani and a graduate of the BSc Oral Health program. The community activity was delivered in partnership with the County Government of West Pokot, Glow Foundation, Arrow Dental, Red Cross Kenya, and other collaborators.
As part of the outreach, MKU donated toothbrushes and toothpaste to over 2,000 beneficiaries, reinforcing the university’s commitment to preventive oral healthcare.
Speaking at the event, MKU alumnus and Oral Health Association of Kenya representative, as well as Council Member of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), Mr Musa Kiptanui, praised the alumni-led initiative for advancing universal health care and supporting the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by bringing vital oral health services to remote communities in West Pokot.
The chief guest, Mr Benson Chumankemer, Director of Public Health, West Pokot County, commended the initiative for its preventive focus, noting that such community efforts contribute significantly to reducing disease burden.
Representing the MKU Vice Chancellor, the Alumni Relations Director, Ms Virginia Kiunga, applauded Ms Semekal and the alumni community for their dedication to service, highlighting that community engagement is a core pillar of Mount Kenya University.
Expanding Dental Care and Education Through Community Outreach
Residents of Kapenguria and surrounding areas benefited from services including: Dental check-ups, Oral hygiene education, and Referral guidance for advanced care.
For MKU students pursuing dental sciences and other health programs, the outreach offered invaluable hands-on learning under the mentorship of experienced faculty and alumni. This exposure strengthens their clinical competence and enhances their capacity for community-responsive healthcare, in line with MKU’s mission to train skilled and socially responsible health professionals.
World Oral Health Day, celebrated every year on 20th March, underscores the need for improved oral healthcare globally. MKU’s participation demonstrates its leadership in health education and its unwavering dedication to contributing to global health priorities through local action.
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Oral health remains a vital yet often overlooked component of overall well-being. Through initiatives like the Kapenguria outreach, MKU continues to champion preventive healthcare and empower communities with knowledge and services that reduce the burden of dental diseases.
The University’s College of Health Sciences maintains a strong tradition of community outreach, and the 2026 celebrations in Kapenguria further reflect MKU’s enduring commitment to improving lives and unlocking infinite possibilities in community service.
By John Kamau
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