04/10/2026
PS WAGUNDA MEETS EDUCATIONISTS
The Principal Secretary for Public Investments and Assets Management Mr. Cyrell Wagunda today represented the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Mr. Felix Koskei during an Education Summit with educationists at Maseno University, Kisumu County.
The Summit was themed 'Universities as Engines of Investment and Economic Transformation- Leveraging Research, Innovation, Assets and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Sustainable Development."
In his address, the PS underscored the critical role the universities play in Kenya's development agenda saying they are strategic institutions for research , investment, innovation, knowledge creation and economic transformation.
PS Wagunda noted his State Department is committed to ensuring that public investments and assets are responsibly managed, optimally utilized and aligned to national development objectives.
He added that, universities are significant public investments that hold substantial physical, intellectual and human assets and emphasized the need to ensure that these assets generate greater public value while safeguarding the core mandate of our institutions.
"Universities hold significant land, buildings, laboratories, ICT infrastructure, research facilities, accommodation, equipment and other public assets. These assets should be properly inventoried, valued, maintained and strategically utilized. Asset optimization should not be interpreted simply as commercialization or disposal; rather, it should mean ensuring that public assets are productive, sustainable and aligned to institutional priorities," said the PS.
The PS further pointed out that proper asset management, strong governance and long-term planning are essential if universities are to convert their physical and institutional assets into sustainable educational, social and economic value.
The Principal Secretary also highlighted the priority to strengthen the pathway from research and innovation to practical solutions, enterprise and economic value.
"Our universities generate considerable knowledge, research and innovation, yet the transition from the laboratory and research paper to commercialization and widespread application remains an important opportunity," he stated.
He said Universities should strengthen intellectual property management, technology transfer, innovation incubation and partnerships with industry.
He observed that research should increasingly respond to real challenges facing Kenya in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, digital technology, climate resilience, energy, infrastructure and housing.