Kenya’s Prof. Susan Mbugua named Global Veterinarian of the Year

Kenya’s veterinary profession is basking in international acclaim following a historic win by Prof. Susan W. Mbugua at the World Veterinary Association Global Veterinary Awards in Washington DC.

Prof. Mbugua, a former Professor of Veterinary Surgery at the University of Nairobi, not only clinched the Veterinary Education Award on July 19, 2025, but also secured the coveted Overall Veterinarian of the Year title — making her the first Kenyan and African to receive the honour.

Her decades-long career has transformed veterinary education, clinical standards, and animal welfare policy in Kenya and the region.

Beyond academia, she has been a driving force in professional leadership, co-founding the Kenya Small and Companion Animal Veterinary Association (KESCAVA) and serving on the Kenya Veterinary Board’s East Africa Hip Dysplasia Scheme.

The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) says this milestone is more than a personal achievement — it’s an opportunity to position Kenya as a global hub for veterinary excellence.

 “This recognition is not just for Prof. Mbugua but for the entire Kenyan veterinary fraternity,” said KVA National Chairman Dr. Kelvin Osore.

KVA has begun lobbying for national recognition of the achievement, saying it serves as a benchmark for the country’s capacity to produce world-class professionals.

 A celebratory event in Nairobi on August 4, 2025 brought together veterinary experts, academics, and students, underscoring the sector’s collective pride and ambition.

This accolade now places Kenya firmly on the global veterinary map — and has reignited calls for greater government investment in animal health, education, and research.