KISUMU, 16th June 2026 –Uzima University has demanded a full retraction and public apology from a section of media houses and other outlets over reports claiming its medical school has failed standards.
In a press briefing Monday, Vice Chancellor Rev. Prof. Cosmas Rhagot K’Otienoh said the articles published from 14 June 2026 rely on inspection findings from 2019/2020, when the institution was still Uzima University College. He argued the coverage misrepresents the university’s current regulatory status.
He said Uzima received a Letter of Interim Authority on 4 March 2020 and President William Ruto later awarded it a full charter on 8 May 2025 after evaluation by the Commission for University Education, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), and EAC Partner States. The university now appears on CUE, KUCCPS, KMPDC and EAC lists of approved medical and dental schools.
The VC added that in a joint EAC re-inspection on 25 November 2024 Uzima University scored 80.9 out of 100.
“The assessment confirmed the institution meets national and international standards for training medical students, making its graduates eligible for recognition across EAC Partner States,” he clarified.
Prof K’Otienoh further explained that inspections covered physical infrastructure, clinical exposure through teaching hospitals including JOOTRH, Kisumu, Vihiga, Kisii and Siaya County Hospitals, faculty qualifications, student-lecturer ratios, and curriculum compliance.
The university said the outdated reports have damaged its reputation locally and internationally and undermined confidence among academic partners, clinical collaborators, and international research institutions. Uzima has recently expanded partnerships to improve medical training quality, research, and global relevance of its programs.
Consequently, the institution has laid down four key demands such as full retraction in bold, same page, same size and prominence in print, digital and social media.
“Immediate public apology,corrective statement and reflecting current status and legal remedies for damages caused,” they emphasized.
Students Union President Allan Kato and Deputy Secretary General John Kimani joined the fray, calling the reports “reckless and deeply detrimental” to medical students’ professional futures.
“We are safeguarding the professional future of medical students, not just institutional pride,” Kato said.
Prof. K’Otienoh reassured students, parents and partners that qualifications 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.
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The VC added that the university remains committed to “excellence, integrity and continuous improvement”.
