INCEPTION MEETING OF AQUA HEALTH AFRICA (AHA) PROJECT IN NYERI

a:  INCEPTION MEETING OF AQUA HEALTH AFRICA (AHA) PROJECT  IN NYERI

Dr. R.M Waruiru, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Vet.Pathology, attended and participated in the Aqua Health Africa (AHA) inception meeting at The White Rhino Hotel, Nyeri town held from 22nd to 24th November 2021. In attendance was the Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi (Prof. S.G. Kiama), departmental chairman (Prof. S.M. Githigia), Dr. K.S. Cudjoe from Norway, local fish research team (Profs P.N. Nyaga, P.G. Mbuthia and J.G. Maina [AP], Dr. R.M. Waruiru, Ms. R.N. Gitari, Mr. E.M. Nyaga and M.K. Inoti [Grant’s office]), MSc. students, National director of fisheries, fisheries officers and fish farmers. Collaborators from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Egypt and Ghana participated virtually.

b:  Specific meeting objectives

i. To receive an overview of the AHA project on Increased Sustainability in the Aquaculture Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, through Improved Aquatic Animal Health Management

ii. To review potential MSc. proposals

c:  Meeting outcomes

i: Seven MSc. students supported by the project were introduced. Of these, two had done

   course work and were to start their research projects immediately

ii. Each student presented a potential research topic on fish health and was assisted on how

   to develop a full proposal

iii. Potential student supervisors identified

iv. The project will run for a total of 36 months (1st June 2021 – 31st May 2024) and

     funds allocated to UoN by AHA is US$ 370, 000 (Vote No. 500-675-051)

iv. Members visited a local smallholder tilapia farmer, a commercial catfish farmer and the National Trout Hatchery (Kiganjo) in Nyeri Central Sub-county.