- Yumbya was among 6,570 students who graduated with certificates, diplomas, masters and doctorates.
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He says hopes his honour will inspire young and upcoming medical practitioners.
Renowned health expert Daniel Yumbya has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by Mount Kenya University during its 21st graduation ceremony.
Yumbya, who has headed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council for close to 25 years, was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) for championing quality healthcare and patient safety.
He was among 6,570 students who graduated with certificates, diplomas, masters and doctorates.
“The net effect of his immense selfless contribution to the health sector is enhanced access to safer and better healthcare services,” read a citation by MKU vice chancellor Deogratius Jaganyi.
Yumbya, who joined the then medical board in 1999, said he was humbled by the honour and recognition MKU had accorded him for his role in the field, which he hoped would inspire young and upcoming medical practitioners.
Narrating how he came from humble backgrounds in Ukambani from where he started his basic learning and later got admission to university, to finally heading the medical council; Yumbya told upcoming learners that resilience, hard work and selflessness pays.
“This appreciation gives me a fresh impetus and the drive to continue executing my duties of ensuring that Kenyans get better healthcare services," he said.
"I am appealing to others in the medical field to work diligently and help improve the country's health services.”
Yumbya also hailed the institution for its ultramodern medical training facilities, which enabled it to recently win an award as the leading university in the medical field in the East African region.
MKU pro-chancellor Dr Vincent Gaitho said the institution has so far graduated more than 100,000 students since inception 13 years ago.
"Top among MKU's major milestones is establishment of the School of Medicine which has so far produced 80 doctors and the General Kago Funeral Home at Thika Level 5 Hospital, a public-private partnership project," Dr Gaitho said.
He said the university’s medical school has been approved by the regulator to enrol more students, noting that more than 200 students have applied for the September intake.
“The medical faculty at MKU has tremendously grown and this is attributable to the level of training our students receive ,” he said.
Gaitho said the university management is planning to expand the school so as to accommodate more students.
Karen Njoki Wang'ang'a, a businesswoman and mother of two university students who graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, said she was proud of the achievement and encouraged youngsters to emulate her.
(edited by Amol Awuor)