President William Ruto has called on Kenyan universities to strengthen collaboration with the private sector to transform innovations into viable commercial ventures and design market-responsive academic programmes.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the awarding of a charter to Riara University on Wednesday, Ruto emphasised the need for local institutions to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset to remain globally competitive.
“Higher learning institutions worldwide are evolving into innovation hubs - integrating research, enterprise, and entrepreneurship into their DNA. Kenya is on this path through the Kenya Network of Entrepreneurial Universities, which now boasts 14 members, including Riara University,” President Ruto stated.
Riara University, founded in 2012 by educationists Daniel Gachukia and his wife, Prof Eddah Gachukia, was granted the charter in recognition of its commitment to academic excellence.
In honour of their significant contributions to the education sector, President Ruto conferred the prestigious Order of the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) on the Gachukias. “Kenya is embracing this model through the Kenya Network of Entrepreneurial Universities, which currently has 14 member institutions, including three private universities, among them Riara University,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by Riara University Chancellor Dr Wilfred Kiboro, Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba, and Chairman of the Commission for University Education Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha.
President William Ruto, Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Riara University founders Mr Daniel Gachukia and Prof Eddah Gachukia (right) during the presentation of the institution's charter at State House, Nairobi on 19 March 2025.
Photo credit: PCS.
Prof Gachukia described the granting of the charter as “a dream come true, a vision actualised.”
President Ruto stated that the government has increased education sector funding to Sh650 billion this financial year, underscoring its commitment to expanding access to education opportunities for all Kenyans.
Government urged to fast track Riara University charter issuance
He noted that the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) has so far disbursed Sh36.6 billion in tuition and upkeep loans to 418,729 students in universities and 233,540 trainees in Technical, Vocational, and Training (TVET) colleges.
The President emphasised that the new student-centred University Funding Model has saved public universities from the brink of insolvency.
“I am particularly pleased to report that both Moi University and the Technical University of Kenya are now on the path to financial recovery,” he said.
He also announced that the government is fast-tracking education reforms, constructing 17,000 new classrooms to ensure a seamless transition from Junior to Senior School next year. Additionally, 76,000 teachers have been hired on permanent terms to address staffing shortages.
The President further challenged Riara University to seize opportunities at Konza Technopolis - Kenya’s “Silicon Savannah.” He urged the institution to foster innovation by collaborating with tech companies and start-ups within the hub, emphasising that such partnerships would equip students with practical skills to drive Kenya’s digital transformation.
“Be bold, be different, and pioneer innovations that tackle Kenya and Africa’s greatest challenges,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga urged Kenyan youth to broaden their perspective on employment opportunities, emphasising that reliance on government jobs alone is no longer sustainable. He stressed the importance of nurturing entrepreneurship and strengthening the private sector to accommodate the growing number of graduates entering the job market each year.
“The private sector needs to be expanded so that it can absorb most of the young people graduating from institutions of higher learning,” he stated.
