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Uzima University student leadership has dismissed media reports questioning the institution’s compliance with medical training standards, insisting the university is fully accredited and recognized by national and regional regulatory bodies.
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The institution is demanding a public retraction and apology, arguing that the reports rely on outdated inspection findings and have unfairly damaged its reputation.
Uzima University Students Association has strongly refuted media reports alleging that the institution fails to meet required standards for medical training, describing the claims as misleading, outdated, and damaging to its reputation.
Speaking at the university’s premises, Students Association Chairperson Allan Kato condemned the reports, saying they unfairly portray the institution and its management in a negative light. He maintained that Uzima University is a fully accredited institution that has trained medical professionals who are serving in various capacities across Kenya and abroad.
Kato, accompanied by Students Association Secretary-General John Kimani, urged those spreading what he termed as false information to verify their facts before making public claims.
“We are alarmed by reports in a section of the media suggesting that Uzima University does not meet certain standards,” Kato said. “Parents invest significant resources to educate their children here, and the university continues to provide credible and recognized qualifications.”
The student leaders described the allegations as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the institution’s image and undermine confidence in its academic programmes.
Their remarks came shortly after the university formally demanded a full retraction and public apology from media outlets that published reports claiming its medical school had failed to meet regulatory standards.
Addressing a press briefing, Vice-Chancellor Rev. Prof. Cosmas K’Otienoh said the reports published from June 14, 2026, relied on inspection findings from 2019 and 2020, when the institution was still operating as Uzima University College.
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He argued that the coverage failed to reflect the university’s current status, noting that Uzima received a Letter of Interim Authority on March 4, 2020, before being awarded a full charter by President William Ruto on May 8, 2025, following evaluations by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), and East African Community (EAC) partner states.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the university is currently listed among approved medical and dental training institutions by CUE, KUCCPS, KMPDC, and the EAC.
Prof. K’Otienoh further revealed that during a joint EAC re-inspection conducted on November 25, 2024, the university scored 80.9 out of 100, a rating he said confirmed compliance with national and international standards for medical education.
“The assessment confirmed that the institution meets national and international standards for training medical students, making its graduates eligible for recognition across EAC partner states,” he said.
He explained that the evaluation assessed key areas including physical infrastructure, faculty qualifications, student-to-lecturer ratios, curriculum compliance, and clinical training opportunities offered through teaching hospitals such as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), as well as county hospitals in Kisumu, Vihiga, Kisii, and Siaya.
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The university said the continued circulation of outdated information has negatively affected its standing among academic partners, clinical collaborators, research institutions, students, and parents.
Uzima University noted that it has recently expanded partnerships aimed at enhancing medical training, research capacity, and the global relevance of its academic programmes.
Consequently, the institution is demanding a full retraction of the reports with the same prominence as the original publications, a public apology, corrective statements reflecting its current accreditation status, and compensation for damages caused.
Student leaders Allan Kato and John Kimani also termed the reports “reckless and deeply detrimental” to the professional prospects of current and former medical students.
Prof. K’Otienoh reassured students, parents, and stakeholders that all qualifications awarded by the university remain fully accredited and recognized.
“We will continue to train competent and ethical medical professionals. We call upon all media houses to uphold accuracy, fairness, professionalism, and responsibility in reporting,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the institution’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and continuous improvement in medical education and research.
By Fredrick Odiero
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