Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has called on Kenyan universities to move beyond merely awarding degrees and instead concentrate on research, innovation, and skills development. His remarks come as part of broader efforts to boost Kenya’s economic growth.
Mbadi emphasized that the current focus on degrees is not sufficient to meet the country’s developmental needs. He argued that universities must play a more active role in driving innovation and producing graduates with practical skills. This shift, he said, would help align education with the demands of the job market and support national economic goals.
The call follows recent government initiatives aimed at improving the quality of higher education in Kenya. In 2023, the government launched a review of university curricula to ensure they better reflect industry needs. Mbadi’s comments align with these efforts, highlighting the need for academic institutions to contribute directly to economic progress.
Kenya has long struggled with a mismatch between the skills graduates possess and those required by employers. This gap has been a point of concern for policymakers, who have sought to reform the education system to better serve the economy. Mbadi’s challenge to universities is part of a growing push to make higher education more relevant and impactful.
