Empowering Entrepreneurs: Kenyan Universities Urged to Adopt Mandatory Entrepreneurship Courses
Kenyan universities have been urged to introduce mandatory entrepreneurship courses to equip students with the knowledge and skills to start and grow their own businesses upon completing their studies.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 100 beneficiaries of the Rose Kirika Foundation (RKF) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kiambu County Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika emphasized the importance of such initiatives. She called on universities to actively teach students how to generate innovative business ideas and turn them into sustainable ventures.
The graduates, hailing from Gatundu North sub-county, were sponsored by RKF to study entrepreneurship under a partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). According to Kirika, the foundation collaborated with JKUAT’s ILO-certified trainers because their curriculum is tailored to meet the specific needs of aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly youth and women, who often lack access to formal business education.
“This is especially crucial for young people and women who face barriers to traditional business training,” Kirika explained. She added that the foundation’s mission is to empower individuals to discover their talents and transform them into viable businesses. “We’re teaching people not just how to come up with business ideas, but also where these ideas originate, enabling them to sustain themselves rather than relying on employment,” she said.
Graduates shared their experiences and the impact of the program. Lucy Gachiru highlighted how she learned to turn waste materials into a profitable business, while Nancy Njeri appealed for more stakeholders to support the initiative.
“With rising unemployment, more partnerships are needed to expand this program and create job opportunities for graduates,” Njeri said.
The call for mandatory entrepreneurship education aligns with broader efforts to foster self-reliance and innovation among Kenya’s youth, empowering them to address economic challenges and contribute to national development.
