Deep rot in Kenya’s Universities and Technical Institutions jeopardizes the future of Higher Education.
A hidden crisis is debilitating Kenya’s higher education system. Beneath the polished graduation gowns and imposing university gates exists a concerning truth: widespread mismanagement in public universities and technical institutions that now endangers the quality, credibility, and sustainability of post-secondary education in the nation.
Over the last decade, worries have consistently increased regarding the governance of Kenya’s higher learning institutions. While education continues to be a vital instrument for national development, mismanagement has diminished public trust and left students, parents, and staff feeling frustrated and despairing.
Financial Rot and Unaccounted Billions
At the heart of the issue is financial mismanagement. Reports from the Office of the Auditor General have continually highlighted numerous institutions for unexplained expenditures, absent receipts, and irregular procurement agreements. In 2024 alone, over Kshs 4. 2 billion could not be accounted for in audits pertaining 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 stalled initiatives. Meanwhile, lecturers in the same institution went unpaid for months. Students were left studying in decaying lecture halls with broken seating and malfunctioning projectors.
“This is daylight robbery,” states Peter Mugendi, a student leader at Egerton University. “We pay fees expecting quality education, but what we receive is neglect and excuses. ”
Leadership Crisis and Political Interference
Leadership in numerous universities and technical colleges is caught in controversy. Appointments to top roles such as Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and Deans are frequently swayed by political ties rather than academic qualifications or experience. This has resulted in the selection of incompetent leaders, further undermining institutional governance.
According to a 2025 study by the Commission for University Education (CUE), over 35% of senior university managers lacked the qualifications or experience necessary for their roles. The outcome is poor strategic planning, resource misallocation, and ongoing internal conflicts.
“We’re witnessing the decline of professional leadership. Most managers are more focused on satisfying appointing authorities than achieving academic excellence,” stated Dr. Janet Wekesa, a university lecturer and education policy expert.
Neglect of Students and Learning Conditions
In many institutions, student welfare is no longer prioritized. Hostel accommodations are overcrowded, cafeteria food is of poor quality, and access to clean water and Wi-Fi is restricted. Technical institutions, in particular, are deficient in modern training equipment, leaving students unprepared for actual jobs.
“Our workshop machines are decades old. Some are entirely broken. How can we be expected to learn technical skills in this manner? ” asked Ann Mwikali, a student at a TVET institution in Machakos.
The Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO) has also expressed concerns about the increasing instances of mental health issues among students, which are frequently overlooked by university administrations. “When students voice their concerns, they are threatened with suspension or disregarded altogether,” remarked KUSO President Brian Ochieng.
Unfair Recruitment, Promotion, and Tribalism
Corruption in the hiring and promotion of both academic and non-academic staff is widespread. Multiple whistleblowers have disclosed cases where job positions are allocated to family members and friends, overlooking qualified candidates. Tribalism significantly influences many appointments, particularly in institutions situated in rural areas.
A report from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in 2022 indicated that nepotism was the most prevalent form of corruption in university staffing, with bribery coming in a close second. This has demoralized employees and fostered a culture of mediocrity.
Stalled Research and Innovation
Kenyan universities previously led East Africa in terms of research output. At present, many are struggling to finance even the most fundamental research initiatives. Grants are frequently misappropriated or poorly administered, while postgraduate students express grievances over delayed approvals and unhelpful supervisors.
Dr. Alfred Njoroge, a senior researcher at a public university in Nairobi, expressed: “Kenya is missing out on resolving real issues through research because institutions are preoccupied with quarreling over funds instead of focusing on innovation. ”
Examination Irregularities and Academic Fraud
Cases of leaked exams, bribery for grades, and plagiarism have become increasingly prevalent. In 2024, a national inquiry revealed a network of corrupt lecturers selling exam answers to students through WhatsApp groups. Nonetheless, few institutions have taken decisive action.
Graduates are exiting universities with impressive credentials yet lacking substantial knowledge, contributing to escalating 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 grades. Parents make sacrifices to cover school fees, only for their children to study in subpar conditions. Staff experience dwindling morale owing to unpaid salaries and inequitable promotions.
Education professionals caution that ongoing neglect could harm Kenya’s international standing.
“The global academic community is observing. If we fail to rectify our institutions, our degrees risk losing their 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, reevaluating all university leadership appointments to ensure merit-based selection, enacting stringent penalties for corruption and academic fraud, increasing investments in student welfare and educational resources, and safeguarding whistleblowers while promoting transparency in operations.
A Time for Action
Kenya’s universities and technical institutions are meant to serve as hubs of excellence, knowledge, and innovation. However, mismanagement is gradually turning them into mere shadows of their true potential. Without immediate and assertive reforms, the nation risks cultivating generations of under-skilled graduates and squandering billions in taxpayer funds.
