A silent crisis is crippling Kenya’s higher education system. Beneath the glossy graduation gowns and towering university gates lies a troubling reality: widespread mismanagement in public universities and technical institutions that now threatens the quality, credibility, and sustainability of post-secondary education in the country.
Over the past decade, concerns have steadily grown over how Kenya’s institutions of higher learning are governed. While education remains a powerful tool for national development, mismanagement has eroded public trust and left students, parents, and staff frustrated and hopeless.
Financial Rot and Unaccounted Billions
At the center of the storm is financial mismanagement. Reports from the Office of the Auditor General have repeatedly flagged numerous institutions for unaccounted expenditures, missing receipts, and irregular procurement deals. In 2024 alone, over Kshs 4.2 billion could not be traced in audits involving public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVETs).
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In one notable case, a leading public university in Nairobi was found to have spent over Ksh 700 million on stalled projects. Meanwhile, lecturers in the same institution went unpaid for months. Students were left studying in dilapidated lecture halls with broken seats and malfunctioning projectors.
“This is daylight robbery,” says Peter Mugendi, a student leader at Egerton University. “We pay fees expecting quality education, but what we get is neglect and excuses.”
Leadership Crisis and Political Interference
Leadership in many universities and technical colleges is mired in controversy. Appointments to senior positions such as Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and Deans are often influenced by political connections rather than academic merit or experience. This has led to the appointment of incompetent leaders, further weakening institutional governance.
According to a 2025 study by the Commission for University Education (CUE), over 35% of top university managers lacked the qualifications or experience required for their roles. The result is poor strategic planning, misallocation of resources, and unending internal wrangles.
“We’re witnessing the collapse of professional leadership. Most managers are more focused on pleasing appointing authorities than delivering academic excellence,” said Dr. Janet Wekesa, a university lecturer and education policy expert.
Neglect of Students and Learning Conditions
In many institutions, student welfare is no longer a priority. Hostel facilities are overcrowded, food in cafeterias is of low quality, and access to clean water and Wi-Fi is limited. Technical institutions, in particular, lack modern training equipment, leaving students ill-prepared for real-world jobs.
“Our workshop machines are decades old. Some are completely broken. How can we be expected to learn technical skills this way?” asked Ann Mwikali, a student at a TVET institution in Machakos.
The Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO) has also raised concerns about the rising cases of mental health issues among students, which are often ignored by university administrations. “When students speak out, they are threatened with suspension or ignored altogether,” said KUSO President Brian Ochieng.
Unfair Recruitment, Promotion, and Tribalism
Corruption in hiring and promotion of academic and non-academic staff is rampant. Several whistleblowers have reported instances where job positions are given to relatives and friends, bypassing qualified applicants. Tribalism plays a major role in many appointments, especially in institutions located in rural areas.
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A 2022 report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed that nepotism was the leading form of corruption in university staffing, followed closely by bribery. This has demoralized staff and bred a culture of mediocrity.
Stalled Research and Innovation
Kenyan universities once led East Africa in research output. Today, many are struggling to fund even the most basic research projects. Grants are either misappropriated or poorly managed, while post-graduate students complain of delayed approvals and unsupportive supervisors.
Dr. Alfred Njoroge, a senior researcher at a public university in Nairobi, lamented: “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
Incidents of leaked exams, bribery for grades, and plagiarism have become increasingly common. In 2024, a national investigation uncovered a ring of rogue lecturers selling exam answers to students via WhatsApp groups. Yet, few institutions have acted decisively.
Graduates are leaving universities with impressive papers but minimal knowledge, contributing to rising graduate unemployment and mistrust from employers.
The Human Cost: Lost Dreams and National Repercussions
The effects of mismanagement are deeply personal. Students delay graduation due to missing marks. Parents sacrifice to pay school fees, only for their children to learn in poor conditions. Staff lose morale due to unpaid salaries and unfair promotions.
Education experts warn that continued neglect could damage Kenya’s international reputation. “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 calling for a national conversation on the future of higher education. They suggested establishment of an independent boards for financial oversight in all institutions, reviewing all university leadership appointments to ensure meritocracy, implementing strict penalties for corruption and academic fraud, increasing investment in student welfare and learning resources, and protecting whistleblowers and encouraging transparency in operations.
A Time for Action
Kenya’s universities and technical institutions are supposed to be centers of excellence, knowledge, and innovation. However, mismanagement is slowly transforming them into shadows of their potential. Without urgent and bold reforms, the country risks breeding generations of under-skilled graduates and wasting billions in taxpayer money.
By Omwansa Alex
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