President William Ruto has announced that research and innovation will now stand at the heart of Kenya’s higher education reforms, underscoring government plans to transform universities into hubs of discovery and enterprise.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the award of a charter to Bomet University, the President said the creation of a State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation reflects Kenya’s commitment to scaling up STEM training and commercialising ideas into viable enterprises.
He revealed that government investment in the National Research Fund will rise from 0.8 per cent to 2 per cent of GDP, building a KSh1 trillion research and innovation base over the next decade. “This is not only about laboratories and publications; it is about financing start‑ups, commercialising innovation, and nurturing a generation of scientists and creators to drive economic transformation,” he said.
With the charter, Bomet University becomes Kenya’s 36th public chartered university, joining a network of 83 institutions serving nearly 630,000 students. Ruto said this expansion affirms the government’s resolve to widen access and deepen quality in higher education.
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Bomet University awarded charter as Ruto pushes for higher education expansion
He highlighted reforms such as the Student‑Centred Funding Model, which directs resources to learners based on ability and need, alongside a budget increase from KSh490 billion in 2021 to over KSh700 billion this year. These measures, he noted, are strengthening infrastructure, hiring more educators, and stabilising support for universities and colleges.
The President challenged Bomet University to harness the county’s agricultural potential, environmental assets, and youthful energy by developing programmes in agriculture, health sciences, technology, and value‑added research.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that transition rates from Junior to Senior School have risen following Ruto’s directive to keep learners in institutions. Present at the event were Commission for University Education CEO Mike Kuria and University Council Chairman John Shiundu.
By Kimwele Mutuku
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