Deep rot in Kenya’s Universities and Technical Institutions threatens the future of Higher Education
A hidden crisis is undermining Kenya’s system of higher education. Underneath the shiny graduation gowns and imposing university entrances exists a worrisome truth: extensive mismanagement in public universities and technical institutions that currently jeopardizes the quality, integrity, and future of post-secondary education in the nation.
For the last ten years, worries have continually risen regarding the governance of Kenya’s higher learning institutions. Although education remains a key driver for national progress, mismanagement has diminished public confidence and left students, parents, and faculty feeling frustrated and hopeless.
Financial Rot and Unaccounted Billions
At the heart of the issues is financial mismanagement. Reports from the Office of the Auditor General have consistently pointed out several institutions for unaccounted expenses, missing receipts, and irregular procurement practices. In the year 2024 alone, more than Kshs 4. 2 billion could not be traced in audits relating to public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVETs).
In one significant instance, a prominent public university in Nairobi was discovered to have spent over Ksh 700 million on incomplete projects. Simultaneously, faculty at that institution went unpaid for several months. Students were left attending classes in rundown lecture rooms with broken seating and malfunctioning projectors.
“This is daylight robbery,” states Peter Mugendi, a student leader at Egerton University. “We pay fees with the expectation of quality education, but what we receive is neglect and justifications. ”
Leadership Crisis and Political Interference
Leadership within numerous universities and technical colleges is engulfed in controversy. Appointments to high-ranking roles such as Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and Deans are frequently swayed by political connections rather than academic qualifications or experience. This has resulted in the selection of incapable leaders, further deteriorating institutional governance.
According to a 2025 study conducted by the Commission for University Education (CUE), over 35% of senior university managers lacked the necessary qualifications or experience for their responsibilities. The consequence is ineffective strategic planning, poor resource allocation, and ongoing internal conflicts.
“We’re witnessing the collapse of professional leadership. Many managers are more concerned with satisfying appointing authorities than achieving academic excellence,” remarked Dr. Janet Wekesa, a university lecturer and education policy specialist.
Neglect of Students and Learning Conditions
In many institutions, the welfare of students is no longer a focal point. Hostel accommodations are overcrowded, food quality in cafeterias is subpar, and access to clean water and Wi-Fi is limited. Technical institutions, in particular, are lacking modern training equipment, leaving students inadequately prepared for actual employment.
“Our workshop machines are decades old. Some are entirely nonfunctional. How can we be expected to acquire technical skills in this manner? ” questioned Ann Mwikali, a student at a TVET institution in Machakos.
The Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO) has also expressed alarm about the increasing instances of mental health issues among students, which are frequently overlooked by university management. “When students voice their concerns, they risk threats of suspension or face complete disregard,” stated KUSO President Brian Ochieng.
Unfair Recruitment, Promotion, and Tribalism
Corruption in the hiring and promotion of both academic and non-academic personnel is widespread. Numerous whistleblowers have reported cases where job openings are awarded to family members and friends, ignoring qualified candidates. Tribalism significantly influences many appointments, particularly in institutions situated in rural regions.
A report from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in 2022 indicated that nepotism was the predominant type of corruption in university staffing, immediately followed by bribery. This situation has disheartened staff and fostered a culture of mediocrity.
Stalled Research and Innovation
Kenyan universities previously led East Africa in their research output. Nowadays, numerous institutions are struggling to fund even fundamental research projects. Grants are either misappropriated or inadequately managed, while postgraduate students express frustration over delayed approvals and unsupportive supervisors.
Dr. Alfred Njoroge, a senior researcher at a public university in Nairobi, expressed: “Kenya is missing out on solving real problems through research because institutions are busy fighting over money instead of investing in innovation. ”
Examination Irregularities and Academic Fraud
Cases of exam leaks, bribery for grades, and plagiarism have become increasingly prevalent. In 2024, a national investigation revealed a network of unscrupulous lecturers selling exam answers to students through WhatsApp groups. However, few institutions have taken decisive action.
Graduates are completing university with impressive credentials but limited knowledge, contributing to rising unemployment among graduates and distrust from employers.
The Human Cost: Lost Dreams and National Repercussions
The consequences of mismanagement are profoundly personal. Students face delays in graduation due to missing marks. Parents make sacrifices to pay for education, only for their children to experience poor learning environments. Staff members suffer from low morale as a result of unpaid salaries and inequitable promotions.
Education experts caution that ongoing neglect could harm Kenya’s standing on the global stage.
“The global academic community is watching. If we don’t clean up our institutions, our degrees risk losing credibility,” cautioned Prof. Ruth Achieng, a visiting lecturer from South Africa.
Calls for Reform and Accountability
Stakeholders are now advocating for a national dialogue regarding the future of higher education. They proposed the creation of independent boards for financial oversight in all institutions, a review of all university leadership appointments to ensure merit-based selections, imposition of strict penalties for corruption and academic fraud, increased investment in student welfare and educational resources, and safeguarding whistleblowers while promoting transparency in operations.
A Time for Action
Kenya’s universities and technical colleges are meant to be hubs of excellence, knowledge, and innovation. Nevertheless, mismanagement is gradually transforming them into mere shadows of their capabilities. Without immediate and substantial reforms, the nation risks producing generations of under-skilled graduates and squandering billions in taxpayer funds.