The Rise and Decline of Higher Education in Kenya
The state of higher education in Kenya has come under scrutiny following the collapse of Moi University and other public universities. According tostakeholders, key issues plaguing institutions of higher learning includes political interference, mismanagement, and chronic underfunding.
The situation is not unique to Moi University, as up to 50% of Kenya’s 37 public universities are reportedly struggling due to poor governance. The University of Nairobi, despite its historical status, is on a precarious path if drastic reforms are not implemented.
There are also concerns about other institutions such as the Technical University of Kenya, where challenges are similarly undermining the quality of education.
Moi University’s student intake has also dropped significantly. The university, which has a capacity for 14,000 first-year students, admitted only 5,000, raising concerns about the institution’s appeal to prospective students.
The drop in admissions is a reflection of the broader crisis facing public universities in the country. The administration, criticized for its inefficiency, is being urged to take accountability for these failures, with some even calling for immediate resignations within the university’s management.
Further complicating the issue, an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is ongoing, looking into alleged theft and corruption amounting to billions of Kenyan shillings across several public universities, including Moi University.
In one case, officials are accused of colluding with contractors to defraud the institution of 2.2 billion shillings, despite the ongoing construction projects remaining incomplete.
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Similar accusations are emerging from other universities, such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, where 2.6 billion shillings are believed to have been misappropriated.
Kenya’s university education expanded under President Kibaki’s administration, which introduced free primary education and prioritized affordable higher learning.
However, subsequent administrations failed to maintain this momentum. A surge in the establishment of universities during the Jubilee era was characterized by unstructured policies, leading to financial struggles.
The current state of public universities is grim, with accumulated debts of KSh 66 billion, unremitted statutory deductions, and recurring industrial strikes by lecturers.
Recent attempts to address the crisis, such as the government’s allocation of KSh 4.3 billion to settle a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), have only scratched the surface of deeper structural issues.
The role of vice-chancellors, councils, and the Commission for University Education has come under intense scrutiny. Corruption within these offices is said to be directly linked to the decline in quality of education.
The administration’s failure to address corruption and inefficiency is seen as a national crisis, as the future of Kenyan students is being jeopardized.
This crisis is compounded by delays in graduation and uncertainty for students, particularly in courses like medicine. Students at Moi University are reportedly struggling to graduate on time, with some medical students stuck in the system for up to nine years.
The delayed graduations have led to frustration and a sense of helplessness among students, many of whom have been unable to pursue their careers due to the institutional dysfunction.
Governance and Political Interference
One of the major concerns raised is the growing influence of politics on university governance. Some experts argue that allowing politicians to micromanage universities by placing their cronies in leadership positions is harming the institutions’ effectiveness.
The impact of this interference is seen in the quality of leadership and decision-making at universities, which many say has led to inefficiency and stagnation.
“Many university leaders lack governance skills and vision,” remarked one speaker. Moi University, once a leading institution, now struggles to manage its extensive resources, including vast tracts of land, which could have been leveraged to offset financial constraints.
Tribalism and Corruption: Root Causes of Decline
Another key issue discussed is the role of tribalism and corruption in the decline of public universities, with Moi University often cited as a prime example.
Critics argue that the introduction of tribal-based leadership at the institution, driven by local political leaders aiming to place their tribesmen in power, has resulted in mediocrity.
This, they claim, has contributed to the university’s inability to adapt and grow, with the management failing to address critical challenges.
A prominent issue at Moi University is the alleged infiltration of political figures into decision-making processes, influencing how the institution is managed.
This interference has undermined the university’s capacity to function effectively, with politicians reportedly threatening to take over council meetings and control decisions.
These actions have raised questions about the institution’s future and its ability to provide quality education to students.
The concern is that such practices, if left unchecked, will continue to weaken the education system and prevent the university from fulfilling its potential.
The Broader Crisis in Higher Education
The challenges facing Moi University are emblematic of a broader problem affecting public universities. The University of Nairobi, once a beacon of academic excellence, has also faced financial instability and controversial governance decisions, such as creating new roles not supported by statute.
Former Governor Isaac Ruto argued that corruption and poor management, rather than political interference alone, were to blame.
“If vice-chancellors are found culpable of violating procurement laws and mismanaging funds, they should face legal consequences,” he stated.
Several experts emphasized the need for competent and impartial leadership to restore the glory of public university education in Kenya.
They stress that the government must step in to ensure that universities are led by individuals who have the skills and vision to guide these institutions through challenging times.
Some experts point out that the current generation of leaders is complicating the education system, despite the fact that many of them studied under conditions that were far more conducive to learning. The failures of today’s educational system are hurting both students and the economy.
Solutions on the Horizon?
The government’s new funding model aims to address financial constraints, but stakeholders insist that governance reforms must accompany any financial bailout. The Commission for University Education and the Ministry of Education must also strengthen oversight to ensure accountability.
The solution, according to experts, lies in urgent reforms. There is a call for the government to take decisive action, including the dissolution of corrupt university councils and the removal of ineffective administrators.
The Commission for University Education must also play a more active role in ensuring that quality education is delivered and that universities are managed in a way that serves the public interest.
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As Kenya continues to face a growing crisis in its higher education sector, the need for comprehensive reforms has never been clearer.
Without immediate action, Kenya risks compromising the quality of education and the future prospects of its youth, undermining the country’s potential for development and innovation.
The challenge is now on both the government and the Kenyan people to demand accountability and ensure that public universities are restored to their rightful place as centers of academic excellence.
The Rise and Decline of Higher Education in Kenya
