By Kurian Musa
Njoro, Nakuru County — A delegation from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) has commended Egerton University for its contribution to agricultural education, youth empowerment and community transformation during a courtesy call on the university's leadership at the Njoro Main Campus.
RUFORUM Executive Secretary Dr Florence Mayega Nakayiwa (Right), Egerton University TAGDev Coordinator and Egerton University DVC Academics Research and Extension Prof. Bernard Aduda (2nd Left), DVC Administration Finance and Planning Prof George Muthaa pose for a group photo after reaffirming their commitment to youth employment and agricultural transformation on June 11, 2026 (Photo: Kurian Musa/ Egerton University)
The delegation, led by RUFORUM Deputy Executive Secretary for Planning, Resource Mobilisation and Management, Dr Florence Mayega Nakayiwa, met university management to review the progress of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev) programme and explore opportunities for strengthening collaboration.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Planning Prof George Muthaa (Left) shaking hands with Dr Florence Mayega Nakayiwa during a courtesy call. Prof Muthaa described RUFORUM as a strategic partner in advancing the university’s mission. Looking on is TAGDev Coordinator Prof Nancy Mungai on June 11, 2026 (Photo: Kurian Musa/ Egerton University)
Accompanied by the TAGDev Program Coordinator at Egerton University Prof. Nancy Mungai, Dr Nakayiwa lauded Egerton University for being among the early adopters of the RUFORUM network and a key partner in advancing the organisation's vision across the continent.
She noted that RUFORUM, founded by African vice-chancellors to strengthen higher agricultural education and research, has expanded into a network of 175 universities in 40 African countries. While its initial focus was capacity building in agriculture, the organisation has since broadened its scope to include research programmes, skilling and community engagement, knowledge management, and strategic partnerships.
RUFORUM Deputy Executive Secretary Dr Florence Mayega Nakayiwa (Left) and TAGDev Programme Coordinator Prof Nancy Mungai (Right) highlighting key achievements of the programme during a courtesy meeting between RUFORUM officials and Egerton University leadership on June 11, 2026 (Photo: Kurian Musa/ Egerton University)
“When we talk about capacity building in agriculture, that is where we started. Today, we have expanded into research programmes, skilling and engagement, community outreach and wealth creation initiatives,” said Dr Nakayiwa. “We appreciate Egerton University for being part of this process of taking the university to the community.”
At Egerton, Prof Mungai highlighted several milestones achieved under the TAGDev programme, including the development of competency-based curriculum modules, work-readiness and business skills training, and community outreach programmes that have reached more than 1,000 farmers.
The programme has also strengthened collaboration between universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, with partners such as Baraka Agricultural College, Nyandarua National Polytechnic, Mombasa Technical Training Institute and Eldoret National Polytechnic participating in programme activities.
RUFORUM Deputy Executive Secretary Dr Florence Mayega Nakayiwa (Right) leads a delegation during a courtesy call on Egerton University management at the Njoro Main Campus. She commended Egerton University for its longstanding contribution to agricultural training, community engagement and capacity building in Africa on June 11, 2026 (Photo: Kurian Musa/ Egerton University)
Dr Nakayiwa said RUFORUM's knowledge management track has established a digital academy that enables institutions across Africa to share research findings, innovations and lessons learned. She also highlighted the Graduate Teaching Assistant Programme, through which universities exchange young academics to strengthen teaching and research capacity across the continent.
Representing Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Research and Extension Prof Bernard Aduda underscored Egerton University's historical contribution to agricultural training in Kenya and Africa.
He traced the institution's evolution from a farm school established in 1939 to an agricultural college in 1955, a constituent college of the University of Nairobi in 1980, and a fully chartered university in 1987.
“Today, Egerton University hosts approximately 23,000 students and remains firmly anchored in agriculture as its core niche,” said Prof Aduda.
The DVC praised the impact of TAGDev, noting that the programme had facilitated the development of seven institutional policies by bringing together deans, faculty members and administrators to strengthen governance and service delivery.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Research and Extension Prof Bernard Aduda (Left) gifting a soapstone carving to the RUFORUM Deputy Executive Secretary Dr Florence Mayega Nakayiwa (Right) during discussions on strengthening agricultural education and youth empowerment on June 11, 2026 (Photo: Kurian Musa/ Egerton University)
“Sometimes we underestimate the contribution of such programmes, but the support it has given the university is appreciable,” he said.
Prof Aduda expressed confidence that the ongoing TAGDev phase would continue supporting innovation, youth employment and institutional development. He stressed the importance of aligning programme activities with implementation timelines to maximise impact.
The meeting also heard that Egerton University's commercial farm is expected to play a greater role in creating employment opportunities and providing practical learning experiences for students.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Planning Prof George Muthaa described RUFORUM as a strategic partner whose impact is evident in the university's teaching, research and community engagement activities.
“As an institution aspiring to be world-class, such collaborations are critical. We appreciate this partnership and the impact it continues to create within the university and surrounding communities,” said Prof Muthaa.
The courtesy call reaffirmed the shared commitment of Egerton University and RUFORUM to strengthening higher education, promoting innovation and creating opportunities for young people to drive Africa's agricultural transformation.
