Mount Kenya University and the University of Florida host the second Implementation Science Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya
Mount Kenya University (MKU) and the University of Florida (UF) hosted a successful second implementation science workshop at Villa Rosa Kempiski, Nairobi on 23rd and 24th June 2026. The workshop was a follow-up to a symposium hosted in June 2024 at MKU main campus as part of the ongoing collaborations between Dr. Francis Makokha (MKU) and Dr Rahma Mkuu (UF). The second workshop was generously supported by MKU, UF Institute for Child Health Policy, UF Cancer Institute, and the UF International Center’S Global Fellows Program.
The workshop brought together experts in implementation science, health outcomes, biomedical informatics, public health, and other biomedical health-related fields to deepen their implementation science skills. The goal of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of researchers in Kenya to design, adapt, and implement evidence-based interventions to improve health outcomes. The workshop attracted 56 participants from 13 different institutions including the University of Nairobi, Strathmore University, Peace Corps, Kibabii University, United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa), Dedan Kimathi University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya Medical Research Institute among others.
Photo Caption: Dr. Francis Makokha gave a welcoming remark as the MKU workshop host
In her opening remarks, Prof. Elizabeth Shenkman (Chair of the Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, the Director for the Institute for Child Health Policy and the Co-Director of the University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute [CTSI) encouraged participants to take advantage of the workshop and develop working collaborations. Welcoming participants on behalf of MKU, Dr. Henry Yatich (Principal, College of Graduate Studies and Research) challenged participants to translate implementation science models and frameworks into solving real-world challenges in health and sociocultural spheres.
Photo Caption: Prof. Ramzi Sollaum engages with participants during his presentation.
The workshop adopted a practical approach and covered topics including; theories, models & frameworks used in implementation science, implementation strategies, stakeholder engagement, research designs, evaluation, harnessing big data, sustainability, bridging the gap between discovery and real-world applications, and de-implementation. These topics were facilitated by Prof. Ramzi Salloum (UF), Dr. Samuel Mungai (USIU-Africa), Prof. Stephanie Stara (UF), Prof. Elizabeth Shenkman (UF), Dr. Rahma Mkuu (UF), Dr. Miriam Mutebi (Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi), Prof. Mabel Magowe (University of Botswana), Prof. David Nelson (Senior Vice President for Health Affairs, UF & President, UF Health), Ms. Deepa Rank (UF) and Dr. Jennifer Lelauren (UF). Dr. Diana Njuguna (Didan Kimathi University) moderated the sessions. At the close of the meeting participants agreed to form an implementation science working group as a platform for continued interaction, learning and collaboration.
MKU Founder receives visiting faculty from the University of Florida
Photo caption: Prof. Jesse Gitaka (MKU), Dr. Rahma Mkuu (UF), Prof. Stephanie Stara (UF), Prof. David Nelson (UF), Prof. Simon Gicharu (MKU Founder), Prof. Elizabeth Shenkman (UF), Prof. Ramzi Sollaum (UF) and Dr. Francis Makokha (MKU) after meeting with the MKU Founder.
The MKU Founder, Prof. Simon Gicharu, met with visiting faculty from the University of Florida’s College of Medicine on Wednesday, 24th June 2026. The visiting team was led by Prof. David Nelson (Senior Vice President for Health Affairs, UF & President, UF Health), Ms. Deepa Rank (UF) and Prof. Elizabeth Shenkman (Chair of the Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, the Director for the Institute for Child Health Policy and the Co-Director of the University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute [CTSI]). The team was accompanied by Prof. Jesse Gitaka (Director, Research & Development) and Dr. Francis Makokha (Associate Research Fellow).
Prof. Gicharu welcomed the UF team to collaborate with MKU faculty to improve mentorship of both faculty and students. Both MKU and UF members informed the Founder that they are discussing areas of joint research, training programs, and mentorship of postgraduate students that will be clearly outlined in a memorandum of understanding.
Photo Caption: Prof. Stephanie Staras facilitates a session on implementation strategies
