‘The Big 5’: Inside New Deal to Reclaim University of Nairobi’s Glory

NAIROBI, Kenya – The University of Nairobi is set for a transformative overhaul as the government approves a new strategy to restore its standing as Kenya’s premier institution of higher learning.

Dubbed ‘The Big 5’, the plan focuses on five critical areas—Green Jobs, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Leadership, and Health Research—aimed at tackling long-standing challenges and aligning the university with future workforce demands.

This marks a significant intervention for the University of Nairobi (UoN), which, despite its legacy as the oldest and most prestigious institution in Kenya, has faced financial turmoil and operational decline.

Years of accumulated debt, including unpaid statutory deductions of KSh4.1 billion, pension arrears of KSh7 billion, and pending bills totaling KSh13.2 billion, have weighed heavily on the institution, leading to staff strikes, student unrest, and a drop in global rankings.

The UoN Transformation Strategy—approved during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto—sets a bold 24-month timeline to reverse the university’s fortunes.

Developed by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the University Council, the strategy outlines clear objectives and action plans leveraging existing resources and new partnerships.

“This marks a critical step in revitalising the University of Nairobi and ensuring it continues to produce top-tier graduates and groundbreaking research,” read part of the Cabinet’s statement.

The five pillars of ‘The Big 5’ aim to position UoN at the forefront of academic innovation:

1. Green Jobs – Preparing students for the global green economy through sustainable, future-ready programmes.

2. Innovation – Expanding research capabilities and commercialising innovative projects.

3. Artificial Intelligence – Integrating AI-driven research and learning across disciplines.

4. Leadership – Strengthening governance and building globally competitive academic leadership.

5. Health Research – Investing in research that addresses critical health challenges regionally and globally.

The Cabinet emphasised that the UoN overhaul represents not only a financial recovery but also a return to its role as a trailblazer in higher education and research.

The strategy comes at a time when Kenya is striving to align its education systems with global technological and economic shifts.

Established in 1970, UoN boasts 10 faculties, over 300 academic programmes, and a student population nearing 47,000.

However, years of financial mismanagement and systemic challenges saw its reputation decline, culminating in global ranking slips and leadership struggles.

With ‘The Big 5’ at its core, the government is banking on UoN to regain its lost glory and inspire a new era of innovation, leadership, and academic excellence for the nation.