Matiang'i to crackdown on unchartered universities

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i (left) Presents a letter of Interim Authority from the Ministry of Education to Amref health Africa group CEO Dr. Githinji Gitahi (right) at the institution’s 31st graduation ceremony. It will now transition into Amref International University upon the recommendation of the Commission of University Education. (Photo: WILLIS AWANDU| STANDARD)

A number of universities face closure due to alleged mismanagement, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has warned.

Matiang'i yesterday said a dozen universities, operating on interim authority, would be inspected soon and those found to have violated rules would be closed.

"Some universities operating on Letters of Interim Authority are violating rules governing their accreditation. We have also noted governance weaknesses and mismanagement of resources, including financial and human resources, in some of the institutions," the CS said.

He added: "While this state of affairs was synonymous with public universities, it is disheartening to observe that private universities have equally joined the band wagon.”

“I guarantee you that you will soon be witnessing revocation of accreditation status and rationalisation of the existence of some of these universities.” 

Sustainability measure

Matiang'i said while some campuses had been earmarked for closure, some of the colleges had, on their own accord, downsized as a sustainability measure.

He also called for investigations of specific universities to establish their viability and potential to support objectives of university education in Kenya. 

"The planned inspection is meant to safeguard the quality of education in our institutions of higher learning," Matiang'i said.

He said students should also review the performances of their lecturers, noting such feedback could be the basis for extending or terminating the tutors tenures.

"Education systems in some countries have incorporated such reviews in their governance systems and it has greatly improved the quality of higher education," said the CS.

He said several private institutions were struggling to stay afloat due to poor governance and mismanagement of resources.