Animal Health & Industry Training Institute - Kabete

The Animal Health and Industry Training Institute (AHITI) Kabete, was started at the present site in 1965 as a project of the government of Kenya, the Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O.), and the United Nations development programme (UNDP). Initially, the project was designed for five years but was later extended for another period of two and a half years. The objective of the AHITI project was to provide training for middle-grade technicians and field extension staff in livestock and related disciplines. The project was a part of a wider scheme of development of the livestock industry in East Africa. This was to be achieved through availing training to trainees from East African countries. Other English – peaking countries in Africa were also allowed to provide trainees.

The plan visualized facilities for 100 trainees. The first President of the Republic of Kenya, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, officially opened the Institute in 1966. It was fully handed over to the Government of Kenya in 1973.

Currently, the Institute caters to about 400 trainees. The Institute is still open to trainees from other countries. The following courses are offered in the Institute:

• Certificate in Animal Health and Production
• Diploma in Animal Health and Production
• Diploma in Animal Health and Range Management
• Diploma in Leather Technology
• Upgrading to Certificate in Animal Health and Production
• Artificial Insemination 

These are all two-year courses except for the Upgrading course that takes one year and the Artificial Insemination course that takes a duration of four weeks.