As part of the celebrations marking sixty years of the Kenya Red Cross in Kenya, the Secretary General, Dr. Ahmed Idris, visited Kibabii University on Tuesday, 16th September 2025. During the visit, Dr. Idris paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo where he emphasized the organization’s commitment to increasing funding for youth programmes and activities, noting that young people remain the greatest hope for the future of this country.
The Secretary General also expressed interest in developing partnerships with the University in research, particularly in the areas of public health and social work. He further highlighted opportunities for collaboration through student internships and work placements, which he said would help strengthen youth involvement in humanitarian service.
The Vice Chancellor warmly welcomed Dr. Idris and commended the Red Cross for its impactful work. He revealed that he is himself a member of the Red Cross and pledged to offer greater support to the Bungoma Branch. He promised to integrate the Kibabii University Red Cross Chapter into upcoming university activities, including a planned medical camp in Tongaren Constituency in Bungoma County later in the year. The Vice Chancellor also called for more publicity of the Chapter and its activities through the University’s communication platforms.
After the courtesy call, Dr. Idris delivered a public lecture to students from both Kibabii University and the Kenya Medical Training College. In his presentation, he reflected on the pressing humanitarian challenges experienced globally in 2024. He observed that the year recorded the hottest temperatures in history, which placed more than 2.5 million people across five Kenyan counties under emergency conditions, with projections indicating prolonged drought through October, November and December, extending into January and February. He also drew attention to the growing mental health crisis, noting that over 1 billion people worldwide are now living with anxiety and depression, with suicide cases reaching the highest levels ever recorded. A third crisis he highlighted was the rise in global conflicts, the highest since the Second World War, with nearly 473 million people currently living in war zones and children bearing the heaviest burden.
From these sobering realities, Dr. Idris urged students to take responsibility for their own well-being, to become alternative voices against hatred and conflict, and to always strive to alleviate human suffering wherever it exists.
The lecture was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) Prof. Joshua Ogendo, the Dean of Students Dr. Leunita Makila and Kibabii University Chapter Patron Ms. Angelah Kiveu alongside the Red Cross delegation, including, the Chief of Staff, Ms. Sarah Nduku, NEC member, Ms. Joan Koech, the Head of the North Rift Region, Mr. Oscar Okumu, the North Rift Regional Chairperson, Dr. Jelinga Paul, and Bungoma County Regional Board Members.
