At the 14th graduation ceremony of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Higher Education and Research, warned that reliance on traditional public funding is no longer sufficient for modern universities.

Inyangala urged institutions to pursue alternative income sources, including research grants, industry partnerships, consultancy services, technology transfer and collaborative projects with the private sector.

She also referenced the pending Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, which aims to broaden universal access and lessen the financial burden on parents by providing fully funded student loans.

JOOUST was praised for securing KSh 137 million through national and international partnerships for initiatives covering food sovereignty, regenerative agriculture, cultural heritage and health systems.

Council Chairman Representative David Maranga highlighted that public universities, including JOOUST, face restricted government allocations, delayed treasury releases and pending liabilities of roughly KSh 300 million.

Despite cash‑flow challenges, Maranga affirmed the council’s commitment to strategic oversight, tighter expenditure control and advancing the university’s 2023‑2027 strategic plan focused on digital transformation, academic excellence and good governance.