By John Kariuki
As Kenya continues to reel from deepening economic pressures and the fallout of last year’s youth-led tax protests, Zetech University has stepped forward as a national thought leader, championing justice, climate action and higher education reform.
At a dynamic engagement held today on the university’s main campus, Zetech Vice Chancellor Prof. Njenga Mûnene and Prof. Mike Kuria, CEO of the Commission for Higher Education, delivered a bold message: Kenya’s transformation must begin in its lecture halls, research labs and reforested campuses.
The two leaders planted trees with students and faculty, reinforcing the university’s commitment to sustainability — not just symbolically, but as a model of institutional responsibility and research-driven action.
“Universities must go beyond academics,” said Prof. Kuria. “We are encouraging institutions to grow trees that serve research, climate resilience and economic value. When people see the utility in conservation, they protect it. The same goes for nation building.”
Prof. Mûnene emphasized the university’s role in cultivating leaders who challenge the status quo: “Zetech is not just training graduates — we are shaping courageous thinkers who understand their duty to speak out, act ethically and lead with vision.”
The statements come on the backdrop of somber national reflections. Nearly one year since anti-tax protests gripped the country, over 60 young Kenyans remain victims of violent crackdowns. According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, at least 82 were detained, 22 are still missing, and several were found dead — many of them students or recent graduates. Justice remains elusive.
The education leaders did not shy away from linking these tragedies to broader failures in governance. Prof. Kuria warned that continued tax hikes, contrary to expert advice, would choke economic recovery and increase desperation. “Experts agree: Kenya needs tax relief, not more burden. Increasing taxes will not grow revenue — it will sink us deeper.”
He also called on Parliament to resist new tax proposals expected in the upcoming Finance Bill, stressing that lawmakers and courts remain the people’s last line of defense against regressive policies.
Meanwhile, Prof. Mûnene raised concerns about Kenya’s diminishing global reputation. “We are losing respect not only from neighbors but globally. Nairobi used to be a stabilizing capital for the region. We must reclaim that identity by investing in youth, education and diplomacy.”
Zetech University is also advocating for increased funding for university research, pushing for a dedicated share of the national 2 percent GDP allocation for research. “Universities are not just classrooms — they are laboratories for solutions. Kenya’s development depends on how well we fund innovation,” said Kuria.
As political heat rises ahead of the next general election, Zetech’s leadership is offering a different kind of campaign — one rooted in knowledge, sustainability and student voice.
“Change starts with how we educate,” Prof. Mûnene concluded. “One tree, one student, one stand for justice at a time — that is how we reclaim Kenya’s future.”
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