Kenya’s President Uhuru
Kenyatta visited the main campus of Adventist
University Africa (AUA) on Sunday to support the
construction of a new Health Sciences
complex.
In a speech to a crowd of
nearly 4,000, Kenyatta pledged his financial support for the initiative and commended the
Adventist Church for being an “exemplary partner
in transforming Kenya.”
“The
Adventist Church has been a vital part of uplifting
our communities, empowering our citizens and
building our nation,” Kenyatta said, referring to the numerous churches and schools throughout
the East African nation.
The Adventist
University of Africa’s main campus is based at the
denomination’s East-Central Africa Division,
located in Ongata Rongai, a region on the
outskirts of Nairobi.
Though based in Kenya, AUA is directly affiliated with the Adventist
Church’s world headquarters offers Adventist
graduate-level education throughout Africa.
Doctoral programs are taught at the main
campus, and other programs—such as theology
and business—are taught with revolving faculty at other Adventist campuses on the continent.
Kenyatta, who was accompanied by Vice
President William Ruto and other officials,
additionally highlighted the Adventist university
for having a progressive vision while occupying a
niche as Kenya’s only university focusing solely on post-graduate studies. He also commended the
Adventist Church’s educational system for its
caliber and scale of educational services.
Kenyatta concluded his remarks by
thanking the Adventist Church for demonstrating
exemplary discipleship, compassion and philanthropy.
“By touching hearts,
improving minds and healing the sick you bring
the word of God to life as a light to humankind,”
he said.
Blasious Ruguri, president of
the Adventist Church’s East-Central Africa Division,
thanked the nation’s president for coming to show support for the project. Using the story of
Jesus asking the disciples to find two donkeys to
untie for use in the triumphal entry, Ruguri
encouraged the audience to “untie their
donkeys,” meaning to release some of their funds
for mission.
President Kenyatta was the first to donate, contributing more than 2
million Kenyan shillings—nearly US$22,000—
toward the Health Sciences Building project.
Hundreds of government and Church leaders also
contributed to the project.
Philanthropist Simeon Nyachae also addressed the crowd. While introducing the President, he
praised the Church for saving the life of his
mother because of a needed surgical procedure
she received at an Adventist hospital in 1942.
Nyachae said she lived to be 102.
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