No more universities in Kenya, government declares

University Education Principal Secretary Collete Suda

The Government has shifted focus from creating new universities to enhancing quality in the existing ones.

University Education Principal Secretary Collete Suda said the country has 31 public and 40 private universities.

Prof Suda said as from last year, the Commission for University Education carried out a countrywide quality audit in all universities to establish compliance with standards and operations.

She said the audit was concluded in February and the results released by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on February 16, this year.

"The findings of the audit will form the basis of forward planning to ensure quality remains in focus at all times. The Government will not relent in its quest to streamline education to respond to our needs as a country," said Suda.

She spoke during the fourth graduation ceremony at Southern Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) main campus in Kwavonza, Kitui County where 1,035 students graduated with degrees and diplomas.

The PS urged all universities to comply with criteria established by the Commission for University Education, which she said was legally mandated to enforce and monitor quality and standards.

She further appealed to the institutions to put quality first in their planning to guard against expanding their facilities at the expense quality and relevance.

"It must be recognised that expansion of university education in an environment of limited resources has negative effect on quality," said the PS.

Suda said universities must admit only students who meet the requirements for the programmes they are getting into.

The ceremony was attended by Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana.