The University of Nairobi has officially launched a pioneering undergraduate program, the Bachelor of Science in Audiology, Speech, and Language Pathology (BSc ASLP), marking a historic first in East and Central Africa.
The launch ceremony, held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, heralds a significant milestone in regional healthcare education.
The new degree program aims to address a critical shortage of trained professionals in hearing and speech therapy services across Kenya and the wider region.
According to the World Health Organisation (2018), an estimated 466 million people worldwide live with disabling hearing loss, two-thirds of them in developing countries.
In Kenya, there is currently only one audiologist for every 6.4 million people, and one speech and language therapist for every 2.8 million, highlighting an urgent need for specialised training in these fields.
“This is the only program of its kind in East and Central Africa,” said Prof. Daniel Ojuka, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. “With our large faculty, we have the space, expertise, and resources to make students into the professionals they aspire to be.”
The program, housed under the Department of Surgery, is designed with a globally benchmarked curriculum to ensure graduates are internationally competitive and equipped to practice both locally and abroad.
Speaking on behalf of Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, Prof. John Mande, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, underscored the program’s broader impact.
“Our graduates will not only be employable, but also emerge as transformative leaders shaping the future of healthcare in Kenya and beyond,” he said. “This degree positions the University of Nairobi as a regional hub for talent.”
The launch drew support from multiple international partners, including Austria, India, Poland, and several African countries.
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Austrian Ambassador Dr Christian Fellner applauded the initiative, emphasising Austria’s continued collaboration with Kenya in science and research.
“This is more than a degree, it is a bridge between cultures, nations, and people,” said Dr Fellner, who also announced Austria’s support for establishing an audiology laboratory at UoN to strengthen the program.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary in the State Department of Medical Services, Dr Saleh Bardad highlighted the health impact of the new program.
“This is a momentous occasion marking not just the start of a new academic offering, but a vital step toward addressing critical gaps in communication health, hearing care, and speech-language services in Kenya and the region,” said Dr Bardad. “Having locally trained specialists will reduce dependency on foreign institutions, improve accessibility and affordability, and introduce context-specific solutions.”
Dr Beatrice Inyangala, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Higher Education and Research, in remarks delivered on her behalf, said the launch of the new academic program is an exciting milestone that brings fresh opportunities for students and positions institutions to respond to growing industry demands.
“We expect the University of Nairobi to lead in regional and global research collaborations in hearing and communication sciences,” she noted.
The program is supported by the Hearing Healthcare Alliance (HHA), a joint initiative between the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and MED-EL Corporation, which will provide international faculty support for the next four years.
By Obegi Malack
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