Veterinary Public Health (VPH) is a component of public health activities devoted to the application of professional veterinary skills, knowledge and resources to the protection and improvement of human health.  The role of public health in the global health agenda is to promote activities that contribute to the improvement of health for all and help realize its objectives. A number of changes are taking place in the world over and these have their own consequences that may require the attention of VPH.

The Kenyan economy is largely based on Agriculture, which contributes 30% of the Gross Domestic Product. Ten per cent of this is derived from the livestock sector. The need to improve capacity in the livestock sector, therefore, cannot be overemphasized. While the sectors dealing with primary livestock products such as milk have been taken care of, the leather industry has largely been neglected. Currently, the highest qualification attainable in leather technology in Kenya is only up to certificate level, offered only at the Animal Health and Industry Training Institute (AHITI) at Kabete.