The University of Nairobi’s Chiromo Campus recently celebrated a major milestone in healthcare with the conclusion of the third training cohort for traditional herbal practitioners. Managed by the Centre for Natural Products and Bio-prospecting (CENBIO) and coordinated by Dr. Catherine Kaluwa, this initiative represents a strategic partnership with the National Traditional Herbal Practitioners Association (NATHEPA). By training practitioners in elementary physiology, biochemistry, and natural product value chains, the program seeks to transform informal herbalism into a structured, scientifically-backed industry.
This collaborative effort draws on a powerhouse of academic and regulatory expertise to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern standards. Faculty members, including Professors Mbaabu Mathiu and Prof James Mbaria, worked alongside Rev.Dr.Stephen Mungambi Mwithimbu National Technical Advisor NATHEPA and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to ensure traditional remedies meet national safety regulations. The ceremony was graced by Prof. Leonidah Kerubo, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Enterprise, University of Nairobi, whom awarded certificates of completion to the practitioners.
The validation of these products through evidence-based research is a vital step toward integrating herbal medicine into Kenya’s conventional healthcare system. As the third cohort moves into the industry, the University of Nairobi has confirmed the continued expansion of this training model to include more practitioners nationwide. For those interested in joining this movement to formalize alternative medicine, the next session is scheduled to take place from July 13th to 17th, 2026.
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