The Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) paid a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, marking the beginning of a strategic collaboration that will encompass teacher professional development, research, and flagship national events.
The meeting was chaired by Prof. Caroline Thoruwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation & Outreach), who framed KU’s profile as a comprehensive, research-driven University with a strong track record in sector partnerships and upskilling.
KEPSHA’s delegation was led by Mr. Fuhad Abdallah Ali (National Chairman and Principal, Nairobi Primary School), accompanied by Ms. Irene Yiaile (National Secretary, and a KU alumna), Ms. Rebecca Otieno (Chief Administrative Officer), and Ms. Caroline Silah (Head of Programmes, Eastern & Coast Region).
What KEPSHA Proposed:
- Deepening Event Partnerships: KU participation at regional and national KEPSHA conferences (national numbers can peak at 15,000 delegates), with added value through exhibition space and programme visibility.
- Branding & Sponsorships: Magazine features, branding rights, VIP/VVIP networking, discounted ad rates, and on-site activations for maximum visibility.
- A Formal MoU: Positioning KU as a long-term strategic partner and preferred academic referral destination for KEPSHA members.
- Tailored Capacity Building: Co-created short courses on leadership, governance, and financial literacy (for both educators and learners), aligned to KEPSHA’s new governance-anchored strategic plan.
Speaking to KEPSHA’s footprint, Mr. Fuhad noted that the Association represents 26,000+ primary schools countrywide, including ECD centres, and now extends support to junior schools. He appreciated KU’s hospitality and past collaborations, observing that KEPSHA members “have shown strong preference for KU” for further study and professional growth.
Ms. Otieno highlighted additional avenues beyond events: co-designing short courses for school leaders and structured learner programmes (e.g., basic financial management and governance). She invited KU to engage in the upcoming breakfast meeting on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, which will inform KEPSHA’s national conference themed “Celebrating CBC.” A commemorative documentary, tracing the first Grade 9 cohort’s transition to senior school, will feature key stakeholders from the CBC journey.
KU’s Response
Prof. Bernard Kivunge (Registrar, Academic) welcomed the proposals as a “give-and-take” partnership: “We already have many KEPSHA members enrolled across our programmes, and formalising this collaboration will help us scale what works.”
Prof. Lucy Kathuri-Ogolla (Director, Centre for International Programmes & Collaborations) underscored aligning the MoU with KU’s postgraduate seminar ecosystem and internationalisation pathways, ensuring KEPSHA audiences can plug into advanced training and scholarly exchange.
From hospitality, Mr. Patrick Kobia (Manager, KUCC) spotlighted KU’s event infrastructure, KUCC, North Coast Beach Hotel (NCBH), the Amphitheatre, and a variety of modern conference venues and proposed partner-subsidised rates within the MoU. He encouraged a site visit to view accommodation and event spaces, positioning KU as a turnkey host for regional and national KEPSHA convenings.
Mr. Kenneth Njoroge (Head, Career Development & Mentoring Programme) mapped KU’s outreach model to KEPSHA’s regional circuits, noting how early, authentic exposure to KU transforms aspirations, often all the way from primary school to degree completion and alumni mentorship.
From the Corporate Affairs side, the message was clear: KU’s breadth makes it a one-stop, comprehensive partner capable of supporting KEPSHA’s multi-layered agenda—events, training, research, and visibility.
Where the Partnership Goes Next
- Drafting the MoU: to capture event collaboration, capacity-building pathways, research linkages, and partner hospitality packages.
- Programming for Educators & Learners: short courses in leadership, governance, and financial literacy tailored to KEPSHA contexts.
- Research & Evidence: joint studies, data sharing, and documentation (including the CBC milestone documentary), with scope to integrate partners KEPSHA already works with.
- National & Regional Presence: KU to support KEPSHA’s regional build-up towards the national conference for sustained, on-the-ground impact.
The courtesy call closed with consensus: KU and KEPSHA are aligned on purpose and prepared to move from good intentions to structured, measurable collaboration that elevates teachers, empowers learners, and advances Kenya’s education agenda.