Egerton University is exploring a new One Health partnership with the Africa Community of Planetary Partners for Health and Environment (ACOPPHE), bringing together research, community health, environmental conservation, agroecology and culture.
The collaboration is being spearheaded by the Directorate of Research, led by Prof. George Owuor, with a strong focus on translating university research and expertise into practical solutions that communities can adopt.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Planning, Prof. George Muthaa, engages the ACOPPHE delegation during a courtesy call at the Vice-Chancellor’s Boardroom. Discussions explored collaboration in One Health, agroecology, environmental sustainability, cultural preservation and community engagement. Photo: Kurian Musa/Egerton University | September 29, 2026.
Among the areas being explored are agroecology and conservation agriculture, including the establishment of demonstration farms where farmers can learn sustainable production practices. The partnership also seeks to promote healthy eating habits and strengthen community awareness of the relationship between food systems, human health and environmental wellbeing.
Importantly, the initiative extends beyond agriculture and environmental science. It will explore cultural approaches to community wellbeing, including the preservation of indigenous languages and knowledge through art, song and dance. This recognises that healthy communities depend not only on healthy people and ecosystems, but also on the preservation of culture, identity and indigenous knowledge.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Planning, Prof. George Muthaa, presents a commemorative stone carving to ACOPPHE President Nightingale Wakigera following discussions on the proposed One Health partnership between Egerton University and ACOPPHE. Photo: Kurian Musa/Egerton University | September 29, 2026.
The delegation was received by Prof. George Muthaa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Planning, who assured the partners of the University's support. He urged the project initiators to finalise the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) so that the collaboration can move into implementation and deliver tangible benefits to the intended communities.
Prof. Muthaa was joined by Prof. George Owuor, Director of Research; Prof. Charles M'Erimba, Director of Postgraduate Studies; and Dr. Oscar Donde, Chair of the Department of Environmental Science.
Members of the Africa Community of Planetary Partners for Health and Environment (ACOPPHE) delegation receive individually presented stone carvings as memorabilia from Egerton University following their courtesy call and discussions on the proposed One Health partnership. Photo: Kurian Musa/Egerton University | September 29, 2026.
The ACOPPHE delegation comprised Nightingale Wakigera, President; Dr. Nathaniel Uchtmann, Executive Director; Maison Kipila, Partnerships Manager; and Daniel Karoga, Project Officer.
The proposed partnership provides an avenue for Egerton University and ACOPPHE to connect research, teaching and community engagement with real-world challenges affecting people, livelihoods and ecosystems.
Through the One Health approach, the partnership recognises a simple but important reality: human health, sustainable food systems, culture and the health of our environment are interconnected.
Written By Kurian Musa, Communications Officer, Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization,
