In a significant development for Kenya’s education sector, the United States has pledged nearly $32 million (KSh4.2 billion) to foster collaborations between universities and industries in both countries.

This investment aims to bolster innovation, research, and job creation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields within Kenya.

In a press release, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) described the key components of this investment which include $850,000 to support the Edtech Africa initiative, a public-private partnership that promotes STEM collaborations between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the Open University of Kenya, Mastercard, and Microsoft.

An additional $6.5 million will go to a new project connecting STEM graduates with jobs in fast-growing sectors like information technology, communication, textiles, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The package also includes $24.5 million for a program on early grade literacy, aiming to equip more Kenyans with foundational skills for higher education success.

In the spirit of celebrating 60 years of bilateral relations, a 21st century scholarship program inspired by the ‘Kennedy-Mboya Partnerships’ scholarship program has been introduced to support STEM education.

This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of Kenyan scientists, researchers, and engineers, aligning curricula with industry needs in areas like ICT, green technologies, and sustainable construction practices.

USAID Counselor Clinton White and Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Mudavadi signed the agreement to strengthen STEM education and economic development Spelman College in Atlanta during President William Ruto’s visit to the US.

These initiatives align with USAID’s education principles, which prioritize improving learning outcomes, strengthening systems, and promoting equity and inclusion.