The future of university students in Kenya is uncertain after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revealed that 23 public universities face severe financial distress.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Education on Wednesday, March 19, Ogamba admitted that the financial crisis in public universities has worsened over time. He cautioned that these institutions might struggle to keep their doors open without immediate intervention.
Ogamba pointed to chronic underfunding — particularly for government-sponsored students — as the primary driver of the crisis, with the financial burden now pushing universities to the brink of collapse.
READ ALSO:
KUCCPS announces date for opening of university application portal
He cited the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and the University of Nairobi (UoN) as two prominent examples of institutions facing extreme financial instability. The committee expressed alarm over mismanagement and growing debts.
To make matters worse, leadership disputes and governance shortcomings have exacerbated the crisis, raising worries that bad management is contributing to it.
In response, Ogamba assured the committee that the Ministry of Education is taking steps to stabilize university finances through the 2025-2026 Transformation Strategy.
Some universities have taken drastic measures to cope with the crisis, including mass layoffs and major cost-cutting initiatives.
As these institutions edge closer to collapse, stakeholders are urging swift action to safeguard the future of higher education in Kenya.
By Joseph Mambili
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
