Progress Marks Landmark ESC Project Midterm Review
The University of Nairobi, on December 1, 2025, hosted the midterm review of the landmark Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) project, one of Kenya’s most significant higher education investments designed to revolutionise STEM education, research and innovation.
The high-level forum brought together senior government officials, university leadership, representatives from the French Development Agency (AFD) and members of the six ESC project pillars. Attendees included the Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Dr Beatrice Inyangala; Vice Chancellor (Ag), Prof. Margaret Hutchinson; AFD Country Director, Ms Anne-Gael Chapuis; Prof. Leonidah Kerubo, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation & Enterprise and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology; Prof. Siphila Mumenya, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; National Treasury representative, Mr Collins Aseka; and the teams overseeing the Building, Curriculum, Research, Innovation, Internationalisation and Industry-Academia pillars.
In her opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor (Ag), Prof Margaret Hutchinson, highlighted the strategic and national importance of the ESC project. “ESC is a bold and transformative endeavour that will define Kenya’s scientific competitiveness,” she said. She outlined major achievements to date, including the completion of key technical studies, progress in the international architectural competition and advancements in Research and Innovation initiatives. “Academic and research components are already taking shape even before construction begins, evidence of the University’s preparedness to lead Kenya’s next phase of innovation,” she noted.
In her keynote address, Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Inyangala reaffirmed the government’s full commitment, calling the ESC a generational investment and a national blueprint for the future of higher education. “The project aligns directly with the country’s economic transformation goals by preparing the engineers, scientists, innovators and technical experts needed to advance climate adaptation, manufacturing, digital technology and health innovation,” she said. “I applaud the University of Nairobi for setting a new benchmark for public universities: globally engaged, research-driven and industry-responsive. I encourage other institutions to follow this path,” emphasised Dr Inyangala.
Following an interactive morning session with pillar teams, the ESC Steering Committee, led by the Vice Chancellor and comprising the PS for Higher Education, representatives from the Ministry of Education and National Treasury, the French Ambassador, the AFD Country Director and technical staff from the university, reviewed progress, evaluated completed milestones and mapped out the key steps leading to the ground breaking ceremony set for May 2026.
This historic event is expected to be graced by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring the project’s international profile. The Steering Committee engagements strengthened coordination and unified focus on the actions required to keep the project on track.
The midterm review ended with a renewed sense of commitment and alignment, reaffirming the ESC as a transformative national flagship that will redefine Kenya’s scientific, technological, and innovation landscape for decades to come.