Ogamba Urges Universities to Drive Kenya’s Singapore Dream

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Education cabinet secretary Migos Ogamba has challenged universities to take a leading role in steering Kenya toward its ambitious “Singapore dream” of becoming a first-world economy.

Speaking during the 2026 Vice-Chancellors Summit in Mombasa, Ogamba urged institutions of higher learning to actively contribute to government policies, programs and legislation shaping the country’s transformation agenda.

“No program, no policy, no law should go without the input of universities. We firmly believe that if universities take their rightful place, we will shorten the time needed to achieve the Singapore dream,” he said.

The CS called on universities to provide expertise in drafting laws, shaping policies, conducting research and offering solutions that will accelerate the country’s economic growth.

“As we think about moving to the first world, has any university produced a draft paper and shared it? Don’t you think this is an opportunity to be incorporated into the dream team of think-tanks leading this?”

The CS regretted that universities were ceding space to what he termed as “jokers” in decision-making, instead of taking centre stage in solving societal challenges.

He said the government is implementing key reforms aimed at making higher education competitive and financially sustainable.

“Universities must diversify revenue streams while quality assurance remains non-negotiable. They must stand to be counted.”

Ogamba also asked vice-chancellors to prepare adequate infrastructure to accommodate the first cohort of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) students expected to join universities in 2029.

ICT principal secretary John Tanui echoed the CS’s sentiments saying universities have a critical role in shaping economic policy and driving innovation.

“The journey to the first world will become a reality if academicians work closely with government programs and have their expertise factored in,” said Tanui.

On his part, Taita Taveta University Vice-Chancellor Prof Simiyu Barasa called on the government to make internet connectivity in universities more affordable and accessible.

“We have written to the government and feel discriminated against because internet connectivity in our university is inadequate and very expensive,” said Prof Barasa.

Tanui assured institutions that the government has sufficient resources to expand internet access, noting that 12,500 kilometres of fibre optic cable are being laid to enhance connectivity nationwide.

Universities were further encouraged to digitize their systems to align with the country’s digital transformation agenda and support Kenya’s path toward first-world status.