- Kenya and UNESCO have unveiled a planned $10 million investment to support education, artificial intelligence, climate action and skills development.
- President Ruto and CS Ogamba held bilateral talks with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany in New York during the UN General Assembly.
- The partners have explored linking the collaboration to major international events, including the 2027 AFCON and 2029 World Athletics Championships.
Kenya is positioning its longstanding partnership with UNESCO for a broader education, technology and innovation agenda, with a planned investment of approximately US$10 million expected to support cooperation in education, artificial intelligence, climate action, skills development and innovation.
The proposed investment and expanded areas of cooperation were discussed in New York during a high-level Kenya–UNESCO bilateral meeting held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba joined President William Samoei Ruto for talks with UNESCO Director-General Prof. Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz, focusing on ways to deepen cooperation in areas central to Kenya’s education and development priorities.
The discussions explored how the longstanding Kenya–UNESCO partnership can respond to emerging challenges and opportunities, particularly in education, artificial intelligence, scientific cooperation, climate action, skills development and innovation.
Artificial intelligence emerged as an important area of cooperation as Kenya seeks to prepare learners and the wider workforce for a rapidly changing technology-driven economy. Skills development and innovation were also placed at the centre of discussions, alongside efforts to strengthen international scientific cooperation.
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The planned US$10 million UNESCO investment in Kenya adds a significant financial dimension to the partnership. Its eventual impact will depend on the programmes selected, implementation arrangements, timelines and the extent to which the resources translate into practical interventions for beneficiaries.
The meeting also explored opportunities for Kenya–UNESCO collaboration around the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The proposed collaboration reflects a broader approach in which major international sporting events can be linked with education, culture, science, skills development and innovation to create opportunities for young people and communities.
Kenya and UNESCO have maintained longstanding ties anchored on a shared commitment to quality education, international scientific cooperation and the protection and preservation of cultural and national heritage. The latest engagement seeks to expand that relationship into emerging areas with implications for Kenya’s education system, workforce and innovation ecosystem.
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The emphasis on artificial intelligence and future-oriented skills comes as education systems face rapid technological transformation. For Kenya, the critical issue will be turning high-level commitments into programmes that can be implemented effectively in schools, training institutions, research centres and communities.
The proposed UNESCO support will therefore need clear programmes, transparent implementation mechanisms, measurable targets and sustained monitoring to ensure that cooperation delivers tangible benefits to learners, teachers, researchers, innovators and the wider population.
By Hillary Muhalya
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