Kenya’s ambition to become a regional innovation powerhouse received renewed momentum this week during a high-level policy dialogue on doctoral training and skills development, held at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha.
The event, hosted by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in partnership with the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTs), convened around 50 stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and development organizations. Their goal was clear: to reshape doctoral education in line with national development priorities and Africa’s long-term goals.
Organized under the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) through its Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif), the workshop drew from a recent multi-country study covering Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. Funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the study highlighted the critical need to strengthen doctoral and postdoctoral ecosystems across the region.
Despite Kenya’s growing university sector with 80 accredited institutions and more than 600,000 students enrolled only 1.2 percent pursue PhDs. This reflects a widening gap between academic growth and research output.
“This dialogue is more than a policy discussion it is a commitment,” said Dr Everlyn Nguku, Head of Capacity Building and Institutional Development at icipe. She added, “By advancing high-quality doctoral education and fostering African-led research, Rsif plays a key role in promoting inclusive development, scientific excellence, and long-term capacity building across the continent.”
Dr Nguku underscored icipe’s leadership in shaping policy and innovation, noting that it continues to “drive bioeconomy development and empower the next generation of African scientific leaders.”
Still, major challenges persist. Dr David Muthaka, Deputy Commission Secretary at the Commission for University Education (CUE), pointed out, “Only 43 per cent of academic staff in our universities hold PhDs, and just 15 per cent of graduates have practical, work-based experience.” He warned that Kenya’s current R&D investment 0.8 percent of GDP lags behind the AU target of 1.5 percent and global innovation benchmarks like South Korea’s 4.5 percent.
Dr Agnes Lutomiah of ACTs highlighted another pressing concern: “50 per cent of students drop out of PhD programmes.” She attributed this to funding challenges, mental health struggles, family responsibilities, and poor supervision.
The dialogue further revealed gaps in policy alignment, research infrastructure, gender parity, and the mismatch between academic training and market demands. Women make up only 34 percent of PhD students, revealing the urgent need for gender-focused interventions.
In a panel discussion led by Prof George Owuor of Egerton University, education leaders emphasized the importance of university-industry partnerships and ethical research practices. Representatives from NACOSTI, Moi University, Pwani University, and Kenyatta University called for stronger quality assurance frameworks and better alignment between institutional goals and national innovation strategies.
Rsif, which is coordinated by icipe, has already made notable progress. It has awarded 302 PhD scholarships, 64 research grants, and 18 institutional and commercialization support grants. The fund supports key fields such as ICT, food security, mining, energy, and climate change. Backed by nine African governments, the World Bank, and the Government of Korea, Rsif is central to driving science and technology across the continent.
In her closing remarks, Dr Nguku stressed the need for immediate action. “We must move from policy dialogue to implementation. The partnerships forged in this room today must become the engines of change tomorrow.”
Key recommendations from the workshop included increased R&D investment, development of innovation hubs, incentives for gender equity, enhanced mentorship, and mental health support for PhD students. Structured career pathways and stronger intellectual property systems were also proposed to boost research uptake and commercialization.
Dr Salome Wawire of the Science for Africa Foundation emphasized the importance of “structured support for doctoral students’ career transitions,” as well as policies that go beyond the “publish or perish” culture to focus on real-world impact.
As the dialogue closed, one message stood out: Kenya must view knowledge as a strategic national asset. With 75 percent of its population under 35, the country’s future hinges on its ability to develop, retain, and deploy top research talent.
“Transforming higher education is no longer optional it is a national imperative,” concluded Dr Muthaka.
With bold reforms and collective action, Kenya is poised to rise as a continental leader in research, innovation, and doctoral excellence.
