CS Ogamba calls for accountability in higher education spending

CS Ogamba Calls for Accountability in Higher Education Spending as Government Allocates Sh 144 Billion
Ogamba reminded institutions that every shilling invested in higher education must translate into improved teaching, modernized facilities, and a dignified student experience.

Education CS Julius Ogamba has urged universities to be prudent stewards of public resources, emphasising the need for transparency and value in expenditure.

Speaking on Friday during Maseno University's 25th graduation ceremony, he reminded institutions that every shilling invested in higher education must translate into improved teaching, modernised facilities and a dignified student experience.

“The government continues to prioritise higher education as a backbone of national development. This financial year alone, we have allocated Sh144 billion to the State Department for Higher Education,” Ogamba said.

In a speech read by Higher Education and Research PS Beatrice Inyangala, CS Ogamba said sizeable investment comes with a responsibility to ensure proper stewardship and accountability.

Maseno University, which celebrated 5,700 graduands in the 2025 ceremony, was lauded by the CS for its transformative journey from a mission outpost in the early 1900s to a globally recognised university.

The institution admitted 8,545 government-sponsored students this academic year, more than 90 per cent of whom chose Maseno as their first preference.

Ogamba praised the collaborative spirit shown by the university’s lecturers and staff amid recent labour disputes, noting their choice of dialogue over confrontation as a model for academic leadership.

The CS highlighted recent infrastructural upgrades at the institution, including modern hostels, a new tuition block, well-maintained roads, and a prospective laboratory complex and ICT hub.

These developments, he said, align with global standards and reflect a university prepared for a future defined by innovation.

Maseno’s tradition of integrating IT across all degree programmes was singled out as one of its greatest strengths.

Ogamba also applauded the university’s continued expansion, including the new School of Law and School of Pharmacy, which aim to position Maseno as a leader in professional and scientific educational fields.

He encouraged them to face the future with resilience and purpose, reminding them they are beneficiaries of a society investing in their potential.

“Kenya needs problem-solvers, innovators, ethical leaders and compassionate professionals. Your communities need you. And the world awaits your intellect and your integrity.”

Education CS Julius Ogamba’s address underscores Kenya’s growing emphasis on accountability, quality and innovation in higher education. With Sh144 billion allocated to the sector this year, universities are being reminded that public funds must directly enhance teaching, infrastructure, and student experiences.

Maseno University’s enrolment, infrastructure upgrades and integration of IT across programmes illustrate how institutions can align with global standards while expanding access.

The CS’s praise for dialogue over labour disputes highlights the importance of collaborative leadership. Graduands are challenged to translate their education into ethical, innovative and community-focused action, reflecting higher education’s role in national development and societal transformation.