Kenyan football star Michael Olunga, known as “The Engineer,” is advocating for the country's new Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, believing it will better support talented students in sports and arts. Olunga's own journey balancing engineering studies and a football career highlights the need for educational reforms that move beyond exam-centric success to nurture diverse talents.

• Michael Olunga's foundation and academy have already produced players for the Kenya U20 AFCON and secured contracts abroad in just three years.
• The CBE curriculum, replacing the 8-4-4 system, will allow students entering senior school from January 2026 to choose specialized pathways including Arts & Sports Science, Social Sciences, or STEM.
• President William Ruto has been praised for investing in sports infrastructure, with Education CS Julius Ogamba noting that Grade 9 students are already selecting pathways, recognizing talent as part of the education system for the first time.