Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba speaks to the Dawoodi Bohra community at the Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy in Karen, Nairobi, January 16, 2026. /PCS
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has commended the Dawoodi Bohra community for its sustained contribution to Kenya’s education reform agenda, citing its long-standing commitment to holistic, value-based learning that integrates academic excellence with character formation and civic responsibility.
Speaking on Friday during a meeting between President William Ruto and the community’s leadership in Karen, Nairobi, Ogamba said the Dawoodi Bohra approach to education closely mirrors the direction Kenya is taking under the ongoing reforms in the sector.
He noted that the community’s emphasis on intellectual growth alongside moral development, discipline and social responsibility offers important lessons for the country’s learning institutions.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, these principles were evident during the event held at the Dawoodi Bohra community-owned Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy.
He described the institution as a practical demonstration of how values, order and purpose can be embedded within an education system.
“This institution reflects these priorities in practice. The order, cleanliness and discipline across the campus speak clearly of an institution committed to excellence, respect and purpose,” Ogamba said.
President William Ruto with the Dawoodi Bohra community led by global leader His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. /PCS
President William Ruto accompanied with the Dawoodi Bohra community led by global leader His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. /PCS
The Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy was inaugurated in 2017 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and has since served as a central hub for the Dawoodi Bohra community’s educational and spiritual activities in East Africa.
The academy reflects the community’s long-standing presence in Kenya and its enduring investment in education as a cornerstone of social development.
President William Ruto is introduced to learners at the Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy. /PCS
Built on an expansive parcel of land in Nairobi’s Karen area, the facility offers a blend of religious and secular education.
Its curriculum includes Quranic studies and Islamic sciences alongside subjects such as sciences, humanities and languages, a model that seeks to combine faith-based instruction with contemporary knowledge.
The campus is integrated with the Saifee Park residential area and includes hostels, classrooms, a mosque, a library, an auditorium and dining halls, all designed with sustainability in mind.
The event was attended by the global leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, who arrived in Kenya on January 8 for a ten-day visit.
Education CS Julius Ogamba with His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.
Ogamba paid tribute to His Holiness, describing him as a scholar, a spiritual leader and a humanitarian whose lifelong mission places education at the centre of community life.
“His Holiness stands as a revered scholar, a respected leader and a humanitarian whose lifelong mission places education at its very centre,” Ogamba said, adding that his vision underscores the importance of nurturing the intellect while shaping strong moral character.
Preisdent William Ruto with the global leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. /PCS
Preisdent William Ruto confers with the global leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. /PCS
The Cabinet Secretary noted that adherence to such principles enables learning institutions to produce graduates who not only excel academically but also demonstrate integrity and ethical leadership.
He said Kenya needs individuals who can lead with both conscience and competence, particularly at a time when the country is undergoing significant social and economic transformation.
Ogamba further described Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah as a role model of value-based education that extends beyond personal advancement to service to humanity.
He said the institution empowers students to view learning as a responsibility to others and to society at large, rather than merely a pathway to individual success.
“Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah enriches Kenya’s education landscape through innovation, mentorship and sustained commitment to youth development. From its architecture to its curriculum, this institution demonstrates how tradition and modernity can move forward together,” he said.
According to Ogamba, the academy’s ability to honour heritage while engaging with a rapidly advancing world resonates strongly with Kenya’s ambitions under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.
The CBE seeks to produce holistic, engaged and self-reliant individuals equipped with 21st-century skills to meet the demands of a modern economy and labour market.
Under the new system, learning is designed to identify and nurture each learner’s unique abilities, interests and talents, moving away from the previous one-size-fits-all approach.
The curriculum emphasises what learners can do with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they acquire, rather than on rote memorisation for examinations, which was a key criticism of the former 8-4-4 system.
“For this reason, Your Excellency, we invite partnership with this institution, as it aligns fully with our national objectives in the education sector,” Ogamba said while addressing President Ruto.
He commended the academy’s faculty, leadership and students for their commitment to value-driven excellence and thanked His Holiness for his enduring contribution to education and humanity.
Preisdent William Ruto and the global leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, prepare a meal at Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy. /PCS
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted the Dawoodi Bohra community’s broader contributions to Kenya’s education sector, ranging from investment in school infrastructure to support for school feeding programmes in learning institutions across the country.
He said the Ministry of Education looks forward to deepening collaboration with the community in nurturing future generations who will serve Kenya and the world with knowledge, integrity and purpose.
Beyond education, the Dawoodi Bohra community has maintained a long-standing partnership with the government in other areas of national development.
The community has played an instrumental role in supporting government-led drought mitigation efforts, particularly in assisting vulnerable populations affected by recurring dry spells.
In December 2022, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin met President Ruto at State House, Nairobi, where he pledged the community’s support in addressing challenges facing low-income earners.
During that meeting, the President announced a partnership with the Dawoodi Bohra community aimed at improving access to decent housing for disadvantaged Kenyans.
“We are collaborating with the Dawoodi Bohra community to build low-cost houses, especially in informal settlements,” President Ruto said at the time.
Ogamba said such partnerships underscore the importance of collaboration between government and faith-based communities in advancing national development goals, particularly in education, social welfare and inclusive growth.
He added that the government remains open to working with stakeholders whose values and initiatives align with Kenya’s long-term vision for a skilled, ethical and socially responsible citizenry.
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