Universities across the country have been challenged to reawaken to their core mandate of research and innovation, with a strong call to embrace data-driven scholarship to shape national development.
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba said that although Kenya has made notable strides in scaling up research, much more needs to be done to strengthen the country’s research culture and global competitiveness.
Speaking Thursday at Kisii University during the official launch of the Harnessing of Education Research for Impact initiative, Ogamba described research as a critical pillar of the education system that must guide decision-making at all levels.
“We are here to launch the Harnessing of Education Research for Impact because research is a very important and critical aspect of our education system,” Ogamba said. “As a government, we want to ensure that the decisions we make in terms of policy are underpinned by data and evidence arising from research undertaken by our institutions.”
Research Chairs to Strengthen Key Disciplines
The landmark programme brings together a consortium of partners and institutions that have mobilised resources to advance education research across key disciplines.
Under the initiative, three research chairs will be established initially:
• Kisii University – Chair in Language Studies
• Mount Kenya University – Chair in Mathematics
• Kenyatta University – Chair in Community and Social Services
The number of chairs is expected to rise to five in the coming years.
An initial Sh60 million has been allocated to the programme, with partners committing more than Sh100 million so far. Long-term projections indicate funding could reach up to $100 million by 2050.
Ogamba noted that African scholars currently account for only three per cent of global research output — a figure he termed unacceptably low.
“The output for research from the African continent, in terms of African researchers, stands at only three per cent. Our ambition is to raise that to 30 per cent in the next 20 to 25 years, up to 2050,” he said.
To support this ambition, the government has increased funding for research and development from 0.8 per cent of GDP to two per cent of GDP.
“Without research, we cannot progress beyond the knowledge we currently have. This increase demonstrates how seriously the government is taking the sector,” he added.
The CS also revealed that an independent research department has been established at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary to serve as a national repository for research conducted across the country.
“This department will harness all research in the country so that we have a one-stop shop and a depository of all research being undertaken. That way, we can collaborate better and fully benefit from the knowledge generated,” Ogamba explained.
Data to Guide Education Reforms
Ogamba emphasised that evidence-based decision-making is central to the government’s reform agenda, citing the transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Curriculum as an example of data-informed policy adjustments.
He acknowledged that during the recent Grade 10 selection process, some schools were not chosen by students and may not have learners.
“We must make decisions based on such data on what to do with those schools,” he said. “Every decision we make must be aligned with research findings and the realities on the ground.”
Universities Urged to Revitalise Research Culture
Kisii University Vice Chancellor Prof Nathan Ogechi said universities play a critical role in generating knowledge, developing solutions to societal challenges, and shaping policy through evidence-based research.
He noted that revitalising research culture would strengthen academic excellence while contributing to economic growth and social transformation.
University Chancellor Dr Sara Ruto urged stakeholders to work collectively in building a vibrant research ecosystem, stressing that Kenya’s future depends on knowledge-driven solutions developed within its universities.
The Heri Collaborative Research Initiative, launched alongside the programme, seeks to foster partnerships among researchers, institutions, and industry players to enhance innovation, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and address pressing local and national challenges.
The event was attended by professors, researchers, students, and invited guests who welcomed the government’s renewed commitment to supporting research and innovation in higher education.
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