Scholars should translate knowledge into action

Access to higher education, particularly at the university level, has grown since the 1990s. Evening classes in particular have revolutionary access. And many who start at lower tertiary levels or who gain some financial clout after getting gainful employment have found their way to university. The zeal is really encouraging.

Since the advent of parallel programmes by public universities coupled with the Government open policy to encourage private investments in universities, the phenomenal increase in degree programmes and scholars is encouraging. We have issues with quality in a number of cases or programmes as well, but with requisite regulations and inspections plus capacity building, this will be surely overcome.

Nonetheless, good education is a game changer for any country. No country has ever developed without greater investments in education.

Challenge could be why are we not finding earth-shaking innovations in ICT sector where we are seeing plenty of developments of applications solutions? Why with all this accumulation of knowledge and skills, why are we falling behind in some areas such is in national integration, job creation, and accountability in leadership and in attracting requisite investments badly needed in the country? Why are we suffering mass exit of investors in crucial sectors like manufacturing? Why do we keep complaining of poor leadership at all levels yet there is increase educated people?

Don't be surprised that after 2017 elections, we will be back to our whining ways on the leadership at counties and national levels. Don't be surprised that we will be accusing Parliament of sleeping on the job. Don't be surprised we will still be worried that we are not finding solutions to poverty, unemployment, tribalism, corruption and youth radicalization.

Methinks we are a country that epitomizes hypocrisy. That is one big reason that we have been unable to fight vices like tribalism and corruption. So long as an official accused of any of the said evils is one of our own, tribal Kenyans will never point an accusing finger.

If anybody is in doubt that Kenya is a knowledgeable community, just scan around and see enrolment in universities. Just check the working population that is going back to school. Just look at the growing numbers of post-graduate students.

The other day I sent some research officers out to find out a good estimate of the number of professors and PhD holders who are Kenyans either working in the country or out. By the mere sampling of those working in universities and some organizations here in Kenya, you would be impressed by the yearly growth in numbers.

We can truly build a robust educated population in time. Nonetheless, beyond academic and professional qualifications, we should start also getting solutions for the numerous problems afflicting Kenya. Part of it will involve partaking silently as well as in organized civic education in finding solutions to our political, economic and social problems malaise much of which look to jinx Kenya unnecessarily.

Obviously, I would encourage more expansion of education and greater enrolment. But at the same time, I would urge professionals or rather the well-educated that they owe this nation ideas on how to overcome many of the problems we find ourselves engulfed in.