MMUST and Kenya Airports Authority Set to Partner in Fire Rescue and Fire Safety Management!!!
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) and the Kenya Airways Authority (KAA) are set to partner in Fire Rescue and Fire Safety Management. Led by the Dean, School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA), Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa, who is also the Head of the Univeristys’ Partnerships and Collaborations Committee, a team from MMUST visited KAA on Friday 13th March, 2026. During the visit, both parties finalized the details of the partnership and scheduled the formal signing of the Collaborative Agreement for 30th March, 2026 at MMUST.
Speaking in an interview with the Directorate of Corporate Communications and Marketing team, Dr. Nabiswa noted that the partnership directly responds to a presidential directive issued during a previous MMUST graduation ceremony. H.E the President challenged universities to synergize with government agencies and industry players, to ensure academic programmes align with market needs and solve real-world problems.
The Dean, School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA), Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa at a past event.
In response to this presidential directive, SDMHA has spent the last 3 years, engaging in intensive discussions with KAA and TVETA, to develop the curriculum of the programme. Dr. Nabiswa explained that the School is now ready to roll out the coveted programme. “We have developed both certificate and diploma programmes in Fire Rescue and Fire Safety Management, which were held pending the formal signing of the collaborative agreement. This is indeed a major milestone, as over 300 students, primarily staff from the KAA and County Governments, are awaiting training and certification courtesy of this agreement. Ultimately, we plan for these programmes to serve as a pathway towards a Bachelor of Science in Disaster Preparedness and Fire Safety Management,” said Dr. Nabiswa.
The Managing Director KAA, Dr. Simon Peter Njoroge revealed that KAA is equally ready to move to the next stage of the partnership, adding that the legal foundation of the partnership is already done and what remains is formalization of the agreement. “KAA is coming to MMUST to formalize this partnership. The partnership is in line with KAA’s vision to become a proper fire fighting powerhouse. We already have hands-on training and now need an avenue to provide formalized training,” stated Dr. Njoroge.
The Managing Director KAA, Dr. Simon Peter Njoroge and the KAA team.
Prof. Peter Bukhala, who is part of the implementation committee of the programme, assured the KAA team that MMUST is one of the universities utilizing modern methods of blended learning and that the two institutions would achieve great milestones together. “Arrangements to work with KAA can now be operationalized through blended teaching and shared resources. There will be no need for students to travel to Kakamega for classes and exams, since the agreement will enable practicals to be undertaken at KAA in Nairobi,” remarked Prof. Bukhala.
The Senior Manager-Operations at KAA, Ms. Dorcas Chemo stated that KAA needs several aviation courses such as aerodrome engineering, aeronautical engineering and people who are versatile in runway operations and lighting. “Right now it is very expensive for us to undertake such training for our engineers since we have to take them to countries like Singapore, China, Korea and the UK. We spend close to 5M to train a single engineer. Therefore, this partnership is a welcome move that will help us cut costs,” she said.
Prof. Peter Bukhala at a past event.
Echoing his colleague’s previous sentiments, the Ag. Chief Fire Officer Mr. Nelson Muneria pointed out that in tandem with their mandate to provide safe, secure and efficient airport services that contribute to the country’s economic growth and regional connectivity, KAA is ready to work with MMUST. “There is a large number of students who have trained here that want and are willing to begin classes for the programmes that will be offered by MMUST. We are ready to begin as soon as May.”
Interestingly, Geoffrey Cheruiyot and uAndrew Kosgey, both Fire Officers are alumni of MMUST. They concurred with other members of the team, expressing confidence in the quality of the students from MMUST who have been on attachment and internships at KAA. “Most of our firefighters have been waiting for the MMUST programmes to make them ready to navigate the global world,” said Mr. Kosgey. Mathews Ogutu, the Aviation’ Safety Officer at KAA agreed that the partnership between MMUST and KAA has potential for bigger things in the future and he is willing to be part of the team that will work on the partnership.
MMUST and KAA teams during the discussions.
Besides the Fire Rescue and Fire Safety Management, the two institutions discussed possibilities of joint resource sharing, research, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility. The anticipated signing of the agreement will undoubtedly herald a new frontier for MMUST and KAA to develop curricula and transform the aviation industry in the region.
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Caren Nekesa
