President William Ruto has called on Kenyan universities to expand their role beyond national borders by becoming incubators of solutions to both local and global challenges. He emphasized that higher learning institutions must actively contribute to addressing pressing issues that affect communities worldwide.
Speaking during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the National Intelligence and Research University (Niru) in Loresho, Nairobi, the President underscored the need to shift from the familiar phrase “African Solutions to African Problems” toward a broader vision of “African Solutions to National and Global Problems.”
As Chancellor of Niru, Ruto presided over the graduation of 31 master’s degree students drawn from Kenya and across Africa. More than half of the graduates (17) were from countries including Gambia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda. He noted that this diversity reflects the directive he issued in November 2024 when awarding Niru its charter, urging the institution to expand its academic reach across the Global South.
The President highlighted that the enrolment of students from 21 African nations in the university’s fourth cohort demonstrates growth not only in numbers but also in diversity. He said this positions Niru as a strategic hub for knowledge creation, exchange, and cooperation across the continent.
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Ruto further stressed that Niru is uniquely placed to advance Africa’s strategic development priorities, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He argued that the institution can help shape a new peace and security architecture for the continent, one that moves away from frameworks traditionally influenced by Western perspectives.
“Key to this approach is being proactive in addressing multi-faceted security threats that have consistently held back progress on the continent,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, among them Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Julius Ogamba, National Intelligence Director General Noordin Haji, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Niru Vice Chancellor James Kibon, and National Defence University Vice Chancellor Lieutenant-General David Tarus.
Ruto also linked the university’s mission to Kenya’s broader economic ambitions. He noted that while indicators show the economy is on a growth trajectory, more effort is needed to transform Kenya into a first-world economy. He said this transformation depends on strengthening human capital through education, research, and innovation.
“Education, research and innovation remain powerful drivers of inclusive growth, strong institutions and strategic competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected world,” he added.
By Masaki Enock
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