Perth Education Partners Launch Community Library Project in Kibera as Kenya–Australia Ties Mark 60 Years

By James Nyaigoti

As Kenya and Australia commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations, a coalition of Western Australian education institutions has turned the milestone into a meaningful investment on the ground, launching a community library project at Ayany Primary School in Kibera, Nairobi, aimed at expanding access to books, digital learning tools, and safe study spaces for children.

The initiative, led by StudyPerth in partnership with Murdoch University, Murdoch College, The University of Western Australia (UWA), UWA College, Campus Perth, and Allianz, reflects a growing shift in international education partnerships from symbolic diplomacy to people-centred impact.

Kibera, often described as Africa’s largest informal settlement, is home to an estimated one million residents. Despite facing persistent challenges including overcrowding and limited access to public services, the community has long been recognised for its resilience, grassroots innovation, and youthful population. According to UNESCO, access to age-appropriate reading materials remains one of the strongest predictors of literacy outcomes in low-income urban settings, making school-based libraries a critical intervention.

A library built with community in mind

The new library at Ayany Primary School will provide curriculum-aligned reading materials, with a focus on upper-primary and junior secondary learners, alongside digital resources and structured literacy support programmes. Beyond books, the space is intended to serve as a safe and supportive environment where learners can read, study, and imagine futures beyond their immediate circumstances.

Speaking at the launch, Conor Murphy, Regional Manager (Africa) at Murdoch University, said the project reflects the institution’s founding philosophy.

“This initiative reflects Murdoch University’s belief that education should be available to anyone with the ability and the aspiration,” Murphy said. “We are proud to support children in Kibera with practical tools to learn and thrive, and to do so in partnership with our Western Australian and Kenyan colleagues.”

Murdoch University was established in the 1970s with a mission to widen access to higher education and it continues to offer flexible admissions and international pathways.

From primary classrooms to global pathways

As part of the broader engagement, Murdoch University highlighted its KCSE C+ undergraduate entry benchmark, which the institution describes as an extension of its open-door philosophy for capable Kenyan students seeking international education opportunities.

Education analysts note that exposure to reading culture and aspirational learning environments at an early age significantly improves long-term educational attainment, particularly when paired with visible pathways to tertiary education.

For UWA, the project is about dignity as much as opportunity.

“UWA is delighted to stand with Kenyan communities and our Western Australian partners to support children’s access to books and learning spaces,” said Mary Richardson, International Relationships Manager for Africa and the Middle East at UWA.

“This project is about dignity and opportunity, giving young people the tools to succeed at school and to imagine bigger futures.”

Education at the heart of Kenya–Australia relations

The library launch forms part of a wider calendar of events marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Kenya and Australia, celebrated in Nairobi, Canberra, and across diaspora communities. In recent years, cooperation between the two countries has deepened in areas such as education, innovation, trade, and climate resilience.

The project is coordinated under the StudyPerth umbrella, with support from the Australian High Commission and Austrade, underscoring Australia’s education sector’s growing engagement with Africa.

Observers say the initiative reflects a broader trend in international partnerships. One that prioritises community-level impact and long-term relationships over short-term visibility.

More than books on shelves

For learners at Ayany Primary School, the library represents more than an infrastructure upgrade. It is a statement that their education matters and that global partnerships can translate into tangible change at the classroom level.

As one education partner noted during the launch, “A child who finds a book today may find a future tomorrow.”

Or, as the spirit of the project suggests, this is not just a library it is a pathway to opportunity, built on shared values, shared responsibility, and a shared belief in the power of education.