More than 78 universities have gathered at the African Talent Campus in Buoye, Nyamasaria, Kisumu, for a three-day workshop themed “Value Addition to Universities’ Artistic Talent for Economic Sustainability.” The event, which officially kicked off on Monday, February 10, 2025, has attracted over 200 delegates from 26 private and public universities.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Caleb Nyang’uono, Secretary-General of the Kenya Universities Performing Arts, Music, Dance, and Elocution section, highlighted the workshop as a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and the festival organizing committee. He noted that the event serves as a preparation platform for the upcoming university festivals at Maseno University in March, followed by a state concert in August.
“This three-day workshop, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Education, is a crucial step in preparing for the festival at Maseno University in March. After that, we will proceed to the state concert in August and other scheduled events. Over 20 universities have already registered, and more institutions are expected to join,” Nyang’uono said.
A New Approach to Talent-Based Education
Prof. Humphrey Oborah, Founder of the African Talent Campus—formerly DALC Talent Centre—described the institution as a sanctuary for students whose strengths lie outside traditional academics. He emphasized that the African Talent Campus is poised to become Africa’s first talent-based university, offering diploma and degree programs based on students’ innate abilities rather than high school grades.
“Education today is no longer just about grades. Here, we use a groundbreaking technology known as anthropo-biometric assessment, which can predict a child’s career path as early as four years old. This technology is available right here at our institution,” Prof. Oborah stated.
Prof. Oborah also criticized Kenya’s current education system, arguing that it unfairly evaluates students solely on academic performance. He called for a shift toward talent-based education, stating that his institution is committed to creating opportunities for students who have been sidelined due to lower academic scores.
Challenges in the Education Reform Process
Reflecting on his past involvement in Kenya’s education reform efforts, Prof. Oborah recounted how he was sidelined after being invited to present his innovative approach. He claimed that a committee initially sought his expertise but later excluded him from the process.
“They became greedy and asked me to train them for five days, which I did. However, I was later pushed aside. They took off with the body of the bus but left the engine behind. That is why the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is struggling—because its foundation was left behind while the system moved forward blindly,” he remarked, warning that the system is on the brink of collapse.
Despite these setbacks, Prof. Oborah expressed his willingness to assist in reforming the education system where necessary.
The ongoing workshop at the African Talent Campus not only prepares students for upcoming festivals but also promotes a transformative shift in education—one that values talent and ability over conventional academic grading.
