Karua challenges universities to turn academic knowledge into solutions for ordinary Kenyans

People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has challenged Kenyan universities to move beyond producing graduates and academic publications, urging them to translate research findings into practical solutions to the country's pressing social and economic problems.

Ms Karua said Kenya had no shortage of intellectual talent and research institutions, but questioned why the country continued to grapple with challenges that could be addressed through knowledge generated in universities.

Speaking during the Aga Khan University Authors Day event in Nairobi, she called for stronger links between academic research, government policy and the needs of ordinary citizens.

She argued that universities should be judged not only by the qualifications they award and the research they publish, but also by their contribution to improving people's lives. She pointed to youth unemployment and challenges in accessing quality healthcare as examples of problems that require practical interventions informed by research.

Ms Karua challenged university research departments to focus on finding answers to national challenges rather than concentrating solely on academic assessment and publication.

The former Justice Minister said institutions of higher learning had an important responsibility to help the country identify opportunities for young people and develop solutions that respond to the needs of society. She also called for better use of existing research, warning that knowledge has little value if it remains confined to academic libraries and institutional reports.

Her remarks come as universities face increasing pressure to demonstrate their relevance amid rising youth unemployment, financial constraints and questions about the quality and relevance of higher education.

Several public universities have been grappling with financial difficulties, with the University of Nairobi among institutions facing significant debt challenges. The debate over university financing has also intensified following discussions around the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill before the National Assembly, which has generated differing views on how best to support higher education institutions.

The challenge, Ms Karua suggested, is no longer simply producing knowledge, but ensuring that it makes a difference in the lives of Kenyans.