Kenya Approves Higher Education, Science and Technology Phase II to Boost STEM Innovation
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The Kenyan Cabinet has approved the Higher Education, Science and Technology Phase II Project, a national initiative aimed at transforming STEM education and research across the country. The project targets the enhancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs in public universities, addressing key systemic challenges that have hindered innovation, research, and teaching capacity in the sector.
According to a Cabinet dispatch issued on June 24, 2025, the new phase will support the development of modern infrastructure, including upgraded STEM facilities, a National Physical Sciences and Research Laboratory, a Centre of Excellence in Maritime Engineering, and a Science and Technology Park. These facilities are expected to position Kenya as a competitive knowledge economy and respond to the country’s low placement in the 2023 Global Innovation Index.
The project also introduces Competency-Based Education and Training at the university level, alongside dedicated funding for postgraduate training of STEM lecturers. By strengthening partnerships with industries and international universities, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications. The reforms will also prioritize skills-based training programs to enhance youth employability and promote greater inclusion of women in STEM fields. The Cabinet underscored that this strategic investment aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and is critical to ensuring Kenya’s global competitiveness in science and technology.