A total of 100 Kenyan healthcare professionals are set to benefit from a new Clinical Nutrition training program in the UK, following a landmark partnership between Kenya and the Merck Foundation. The announcement was made by First Lady Rachel Ruto during the 7th edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit held in Dubai, UAE.
The initiative aims to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare system by equipping professionals with specialized knowledge to better serve their communities. “This will further strengthen and better equip our healthcare professionals,” said the First Lady. She praised the Merck Foundation’s More Than a Mother campaign for addressing critical social and health issues, and affirmed Kenya’s commitment to deepening this partnership for greater impact.
Since 2012, the Merck Foundation has awarded 244 scholarships to Kenyan doctors, including Dr. Elijah Maura Chege—the first formally trained urologist in Tharaka Nithi County. Dr. Chege’s journey highlights the transformative potential of such scholarships. “This is more than a degree; it is the power to restore dignity and save lives,” he said.
The First Lady also commended the Merck Foundation’s CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej, for her leadership, noting the organization’s 13 years of impactful service across Africa and Asia in healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment. She emphasized the importance of First Ladies fostering strong partnerships to promote equitable healthcare and education.
Highlighting Kenya’s gains, she revealed that 50 percent of Merck Foundation scholarships awarded to Kenyans have gone to women, aligning with the Foundation’s commitment to gender equality. “We remain committed to enrolling more doctors to serve not only Kenya but also other Africans who seek care in our country,” she stated.
Additionally, the First Lady celebrated the Foundation’s Educating Linda program, which supports 47 bright but underprivileged Kenyan girls with full scholarships through secondary school to university.
She concluded with a call to action: “Every girl deserves the opportunity to pursue her dreams. We must break down every barrier that keeps girls from school.”
