Deep rot in Kenya’s Universities and Technical Institutions threatens the future of Higher Education.

Deep rot in Kenya’s Universities and Technical Institutions threatens the future of Higher Education.

A quiet crisis is undermining Kenya’s higher education system. Beneath the polished graduation robes and imposing university entrances lies a disconcerting reality: widespread mismanagement within public universities and technical institutions that now jeopardizes the quality, credibility, and sustainability of post-secondary education in the nation.

Over the last ten years, apprehensions have continually mounted regarding the governance of Kenya’s higher learning institutions. While education remains an influential instrument for national progress, mismanagement has diminished public confidence, leaving students, parents, and staff feeling frustrated and despairing.

Financial Rot and Unaccounted Billions

At the core of the issue is financial mismanagement. Reports from the Office of the Auditor General have consistently highlighted numerous institutions for unaccounted expenditures, absent receipts, and irregular procurement agreements. In 2024 alone, over Kshs 4. 2 billion was not traceable in audits involving 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 expended over Ksh 700 million on halted projects. Concurrently, faculty members at the same institution remained unpaid for several months. Students were left to study in decrepit lecture halls with broken seats and malfunctioning projectors.

“This is daylight robbery,” states Peter Mugendi, a student leader at Egerton University. “We pay fees in anticipation of quality education, but what we receive is neglect and excuses. ”

Leadership Crisis and Political Interference

Leadership within numerous universities and technical colleges is entangled in controversy. Appointments to senior 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 placement of incompetent leaders, further deteriorating institutional governance.

According to a 2025 study conducted by the Commission for University Education (CUE), over 35% of senior university administrators lacked the necessary qualifications or experience for their positions. The consequence is inadequate strategic planning, misallocation of resources, and persistent internal disputes.

“We’re witnessing the decline of professional leadership. Most managers prioritize appeasing appointing authorities over achieving academic excellence,” remarked Dr. Janet Wekesa, a university lecturer and education policy expert.

Neglect of Students and Learning Conditions

In numerous institutions, student welfare has ceased to be a priority. Dormitory facilities are overcrowded, cafeteria food is of poor quality, and access to clean water and Wi-Fi is limited. Technical institutions, in particular, suffer from a lack of modern training equipment, leaving students ill-equipped for real-world employment.

“Our workshop machines are decades old. Some are entirely non-functional. How can we be expected to acquire technical skills this way? ” inquired Ann Mwikali, a student at a TVET institution in Machakos.

The Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO) has also expressed apprehensions regarding the escalating incidents of mental health issues among students, which are frequently disregarded by university administrations. “When students voice their concerns, they face threats of suspension or are ignored altogether,” stated KUSO President Brian Ochieng.

Unfair Recruitment, Promotion, and Tribalism

Corruption in the recruitment and advancement of both academic and non-academic personnel is widespread. Numerous whistleblowers have reported situations in which job positions are allocated to relatives and acquaintances, neglecting qualified candidates. Tribalism significantly influences many appointments, particularly within institutions situated in rural regions.

A 2022 report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) indicated that nepotism was the predominant form of corruption in university staffing, with bribery closely following it. This situation has demoralized the workforce and fostered a culture of mediocrity.

Stalled Research and Innovation

Kenyan universities previously excelled in East Africa regarding research output. At present, many are facing challenges in financing even basic research initiatives. Grants are either misappropriated or ineffectively managed, while post-graduate students express dissatisfaction over delayed approvals and unsupportive supervisors.

Dr. Alfred Njoroge, a senior researcher at a public university in Nairobi, expressed concern: “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

Occurrences of leaked examinations, 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. Nevertheless, few institutions have taken decisive action.

Graduates are leaving universities with impressive credentials but limited knowledge, which is contributing to rising graduate unemployment and skepticism from employers.

The Human Cost: Lost Dreams and National Repercussions

The ramifications of mismanagement are profoundly personal. Students experience delays in graduation due to missing marks. Parents make sacrifices to cover school fees, only for their children to study in inadequate conditions. Staff experience diminished morale due to unpaid salaries and inequitable promotions. Education experts caution that ongoing neglect could harm Kenya’s international standing.

“The global academic community is watching. If we don’t clean up our institutions, our degrees risk losing credibility,” warned 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 establishment of independent boards for financial oversight in all institutions, a review of all university leadership appointments to ensure merit-based selection, the implementation of strict penalties for corruption and academic fraud, increased investment in student welfare and learning resources, and the protection of whistleblowers alongside the promotion of transparency in operations.

A Time for Action

Kenya’s universities and technical institutions are expected to be bastions of excellence, knowledge, and innovation. However, mismanagement is gradually transforming them into mere shadows of their potential. Without immediate and significant reforms, the country risks producing generations of inadequately skilled graduates and squandering billions in taxpayer funds.