Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi warns varsities over expansion

Kenya: Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has cautioned universities not to compromise quality of education through unfettered expansion.

Prof Kaimenyi said expansion enables many Kenyans to access higher education, but quality and standards must be maintained at the new colleges and campuses to enable graduates compete in the job market.

His warning comes as the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) seeks the help of county governments to acquire land for its planned expansion to the six devolved units in the coast region.

The institution's management said yesterday, that it was also facing hitches in accreditation of engineering programmes, which have in the recent past led to student unrest forcing the closure of the institution.

Yesterday, during the institution's graduation ceremony, Vice Chancellor Josphat Mwatela said its infrastructure expansion was on course.

"We can assure you that we are committed to resolving this matter. Let it go on record that the council is doing everything possible to get the accreditation of the Engineers Board of Kenya," said Prof Mwatela.