Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala has urged the university councils to embrace various financial innovations to tackle the issue of rampant financial crisis.
Speaking during the Inaugural National Retreat for Public University Councils in Mombasa on June 19, the PS Inyangala, called on university councils to embrace financial innovation, enterprise models, and cost-efficiency strategies to avert a deepening crisis.
The three day retreat, running from June 19 to 21, brought together chairpersons of public university councils, top education officials, and government advisors to craft a way forward for Kenya’s struggling universities.
According to Inyangala, most universities are grappling with significant financial shortfalls, making it necessary to shift from traditional funding reliance to more entrepreneurial and sustainable models.
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“We must urgently address the structural weaknesses that have led to financial instability. Our universities must operate with the efficiency and foresight of enterprises,” she said.
She urged councils to strengthen internal audit mechanisms, improve financial reporting, and enhance quality assurance units to monitor how resources are utilized.
Adding his voice, Julius Melly, Chair of the National Assembly Committee on Education, emphasized the need for income diversification through research grants, consultancies, alumni support, and partnerships with industry.
“University councils must lead innovation. Institutions should commercialize services, engage in resource mobilization, and position themselves as research and development hubs,” Melly stated.
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Moses Kuria, the Senior Economic Advisor to the President, challenged vice chancellors and councils to change their mindset towards university management.
“Our VCs must think like CEOs. The old model is broken. We need universities to be entrepreneurial, leveraging technology, attracting global students and generating independent revenue,” he said.
The retreat also touched on government efforts to roll out a new funding model, but stakeholders agreed that internal reforms are equally vital. The Ministry committed to supporting universities that show tangible progress in accountability and innovation.
As financial constraints continue to hamper teaching, research, and infrastructure development, education leaders are under pressure to rethink how universities are run.
The retreat is expected to produce a joint resolution guiding universities towards sustainable and accountable operations in the coming financial year.
By Benedict Aoya
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