Healthy lives
University of Nottingham forges ground-breaking health alliance with Kenya.
President of Kenya hails flagship model for sharing knowledge and strengthening health systems
The University of Nottingham has reaffirmed its commitment to help transform Kenya's health system. Researchers from Nottingham and colleagues representing King’s College London met the President of Kenya, His Excellency William Ruto, and a delegation from the Kenyan Ministry of Health to sign agreements aiming to bolster the Kenya-UK Strategic Health Alliance (KUKHA), which aims to have a lasting impact on lives in the East African country.
The University of Nottingham's collaboration with Kenya will drive research and innovation in cancer care, pharmaceutical production, and diagnostic technology, including the vital rollout of MRI capabilities. Kenya’s partnership with King's focuses on developing structured training pathways to increase the number of skilled Kenyan health professionals.
The Nottingham delegation included Professor Sube Banerjee, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Faculty of Medicine and Health Science; Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement and Professor of Oncology Nigel Mongan; Professor Claire Stewart, Dean and Head of School of Medicine; the School of Medicine’s Professor Yasha Mahida, and Dr Eleanor Mitchell, Director of Global Engagement and Associate Professor of Clinical Trials in the School of Medicine.
Tackling cancer inequities
Professor Nigel Mongan leads a team from the University of Nottingham who are part of the SAMBAI Cancer Grand Challenge consortium, a global, interdisciplinary mission aiming to tackle cancer inequities. By studying populations in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa, as well people of African descent in the UK and the US, the team, by Dr. Melissa Davis, Morehouse School of Medicine, will build an unprecedented understanding of differences in cancer incidence, diagnosis and treatment, as well as gather evidence of how social, environmental and genetic factors affect outcomes.
Professor Mongan said: “Breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers are more common and outcomes poorer in people of African ancestry. Our partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Health underlines a shared commitment to understand the causes of these cancer inequities, with the goal of benefiting patients in Kenya, Africa, the UK and across the world.
Building local capacity and informing better care
“My colleagues and I were honoured to meet President Ruto and explore new ways of working together. This marks a further significant step in building a partnership that has the potential to improve lives through science and the sharing of knowledge.”
President Ruto said: “The $25 million (£18.2 million) SAMBAI Cancer Grand Challenge consortium is advancing our understanding of cancer genomics in Kenya, building local capacity and informing better care.
“We are proud of our partnerships with universities such as Nottingham, Oxford, and King’s College London. These collaborations support training, mentorship, and the development of critical skills to strengthen our medical education and workforce. This is essential to Kenya as we work to expand access to quality care across the country.”
Photo of President of Kenya, His Excellency William Ruto
"The Kenya-UK Health Alliance is a flagship model of what our countries can achieve when we bring together expertise, resources, and shared values."
Reducing hypothermia in premature babies
The Kenya delegation also heard about Dr Eleanor Mitchell’s work, including a ground-breaking trial aimed at reducing hypothermia in premature babies in Kenya. In partnership with Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium (Keprecon), the trial will take place in 28 hospitals across Kenya, involving 11,000 babies. The trial is evaluating a care bundle, NEWS-HEAT, which includes evidence-based actions to keep babies warm and an ‘early warning score’ monitoring chart, which uses a traffic-light system to help visually identify babies who need additional care.
President Ruto added: “The Kenya-UK Health Alliance is a flagship model of what our countries can achieve when we bring together expertise, resources, and shared values. Through the alliance, our two nations are delivering meaningful collaboration in research, clinical excellence, workforce development, and innovation, helping to strengthen our health systems and improve lives on both sides.”
Two Memoranda of Understanding strengthening the Kenya-UK Strategic Health Alliance were signed on 2 July 2025 at an event hosted by King’s College London as part of President Ruto’s state visit to the UK.
Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King's College London said: "Today marks a truly significant step in our enduring relationship with Kenya and a shared vision for a healthier future. We are committed to fostering research and innovation that directly addresses real-world health challenges, and this alliance is a testament to the power of international cooperation in achieving those goals."
Nigel Mongan
Nigel Mongan is Professor of Oncology, based in the University of Nottingham’s Biodiscovery Institute, and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Professor of Oncology
Dr Eleanor Mitchell
Dr Eleanor Mitchell is Director of Global Engagement and Associate Professor of Clinical Trials in the School of Medicine
Replay: clips of Presidential Diaspora Townhall in London