INTERVIEWER: Today, this is basically a documentary about the University of Excellence. And so we want to know your contribution, basically. Let me kindly ask you to introduce yourself for all people that are viewing.
PROF. MAITAI: Okay. I'm Professor Charles Karemi Maitai. I was born in Nyeri, Tetu Division, in a place called Wamagana.
INTERVIEWER: Okay. And where did you train for pharmacy? Where and when? How long was it back then?
PROF. MAITAI: Can I first say something before pharmacy? I went to a local school called Hilathuthi from Standard One to Four. Then I did the common entrance examination and was called to Kagumo Government School. Kagumo had teacher training, high school, and a primary school. There was drama — I was the only one from my region selected. My grandmother was very upset. I was just ten years old, and she didn’t understand why I had to go far away to school. She feared the presence of white people due to the Mau Mau situation. Eventually, I went and encountered more drama — I drew a picture of God in an art class and it caused quite a stir. One older student mockingly called me “professor,” which made me cry. Ironically, I prayed never to become “that animal called professor.”
INTERVIEWER: Wow. So how did your education journey continue from there?
PROF. MAITAI: I went through Kagumo for Standards Five to Eight, then did KAPE exams and passed well. I joined high school, then moved with Kagumo High to Kiganjo in Form Three. After that, I did A-levels at Kangaru. Only seven schools in Kenya then offered A-levels. Later, I got a scholarship to New Zealand to study pharmacy — a four-year course. I knew nothing about pharmacy at the time. I later extended my scholarship and earned a Master’s in Pharmacy specializing in toxicology. I returned to Kenya in 1969 and joined the government chemist as a forensic toxicologist.
INTERVIEWER: After returning, which pharmacy practice sectors did you work in, and what were your experiences?
PROF. MAITAI: I was mostly in toxicology, not mainstream pharmacy. I joined the University of Nairobi, taught pharmacology at Kabete, and later helped start the Department of Pharmacy. I never practiced pharmacy actively but I’m a registered pharmacist.
INTERVIEWER: As founder and first chairperson of the Department of Pharmacy, how did you go about establishing the department?
PROF. MAITAI: It was tough. I wrote to many pharmacy schools abroad to benchmark syllabi. I toured the UK and visited six universities, gathering knowledge. On the way back, I recruited a senior lecturer from Nigeria and some from Britain. Locally, we trained tutorial fellows who earned master’s degrees and became lecturers. When students came in after two years, we had enough staff to start teaching core subjects like pharmacology and pharmaceutics, though still limited.
INTERVIEWER: What were the strengths and weaknesses of the first BPharm curriculum? Was it revised?
PROF. MAITAI: Strengths and weaknesses depend on context. For instance, pharmacognosy (study of crude drugs) was debated — some universities phased it out, others kept it. We built on a core curriculum, and updated where possible. But syllabus variation across universities made comparisons difficult.
INTERVIEWER: What was your administrative role for the first student cohort?
PROF. MAITAI: As chairman, I handled departmental affairs. Actual administration — like leave, finances — was done from the dean’s office. We were more focused on teaching and supervising research. Teaching began in 1976 when students reported to the pharmacy school.
INTERVIEWER: Could you comment on the attitude of the 1974–1976 cohorts?
PROF. MAITAI: They were top students — initially admitted to medicine, then transferred to pharmacy. Very disciplined, never missed class, no disruptions during lectures. Today’s students face different challenges — commuting, fewer benefits. But back then, students were housed nearby, fed, and supported. I remember a student giving birth Friday and attending class Monday. Another, sleep-deprived from caring for her baby, still sat for exams.
INTERVIEWER: When and how did you gain administrative or management experience?
PROF. MAITAI: Much was learned on the job. University departments rely on main campus admin for non-academic matters. Our main task was teaching and research, so there wasn’t formal admin training.
INTERVIEWER: Who helped in the growth of the BPharm program?
PROF. MAITAI: Vice Chancellor Josphat Karanja was key — he gave me autonomy. Ministry of Health supported us with facilities, consultation roles, and policy work. Students also played a huge role by cooperating despite difficult conditions.
INTERVIEWER: What were your major contributions to pharmacy training?
PROF. MAITAI: I laid the foundation for pharmacy education. Most critical was developing qualified academic staff — tutorial fellows, recruiting globally. The department expanded over time through teamwork and leadership.
INTERVIEWER: What networks did you facilitate for teaching and research?
PROF. MAITAI: We invited international professors as external examiners — from the UK and US. They validated our teaching, assessed standards, and provided valuable feedback. That built our international profile.
INTERVIEWER: How did you engage the Ministry, Pharmacy Board, and industry in student mentorship?
PROF. MAITAI: Ministry of Health was our closest partner — they provided space, consulted us, and absorbed graduates. We offered expertise for their policies. Industry was more difficult. Initially, existing pharmacists didn’t want a school of pharmacy — they feared losing influence.
INTERVIEWER: How did technology affect training during your time?
PROF. MAITAI: Technology had minimal impact in the early days. Laptops, digital tools came much later — mostly after the 1990s.
INTERVIEWER: What was the impact of UoN pharmacy graduates?
PROF. MAITAI: Immense. All pharmacy lecturers in Kenya were once our students. They serve in research, hospitals, industry, public service — we’ve produced ministers, ambassadors, governors. From just 10 pharmacists in 1966 to over 5,000 today — a real transformation.
INTERVIEWER: If you were to start BPharm again today, what would you do differently?
PROF. MAITAI: Today, it would be easier — more trained pharmacists, internet access to syllabi, better infrastructure. We lacked time and resources back then. Now, one can download 100 syllabi in hours — we wrote letters back then.
INTERVIEWER: What’s one thing you wish you had done but didn’t manage to?
PROF. MAITAI: Honestly, I didn’t set unrealistic goals. I did what was possible under the circumstances and left the rest for successors. Many new programs, like clinical pharmacy and sociopharmacy, were started by my former students trained abroad.
INTERVIEWER: What’s your summary of pharmacy education in Kenya?
PROF. MAITAI: Initially, there was a disconnect between training and practice. Graduates felt overeducated for roles like counting tablets. The introduction of clinical pharmacy — patient-centered care — was a turning point. Pharmacists joined health teams, gave advice, and became more involved.
INTERVIEWER: What would you like to be remembered for?
PROF. MAITAI: As the person who started pharmacy education in Kenya.
Many others contributed, but I provided the leadership. I leave it to others to judge me. I did my best.
INTERVIEWER: What’s your vision for pharmacy training and practice in the next 50 years?
PROF. MAITAI: Challenges remain — government can’t absorb all graduates, and rural areas can’t support them well. Still, pharmacy must adapt. We risk diminishing returns if saturation isn’t managed. But with strategic planning and optimism, the future is still promising.
INTERVIEWER: Any message to pharmacy alumni?
PROF. MAITAI: Congratulations and best wishes. You supported us. Despite challenges, remain optimistic. This is your country. Don't run away from challenges.
INTERVIEWER: Thank you so much, sir. Your time and insights are incredibly valuable.
PROF. MAITAI: Thank you.
