Kenya's universities have been adrift for years, they must now get a grip

A recent audit of public and private universities has laid out in the open what some have long suspected: Kenya’s public institutions are poorly funded and often disgracefully managed.

The litany of ills uncovered in the survey by the Commission for University Education is long.

It includes poor record-keeping leading to cases of missing grades, the abuse of credit accumulation or transfers and unjustifiable progression rates for some students.

 The audit also unearthed academic theft leading to sub-standard thesis or research projects. There was also the unmerited award of honorary degrees.

The findings will add to the state of anxiety in Kenya’s education system. A few months ago, the new cabinet secretary for education Dr. Fred Matiang'i exposed the primary and secondary school national examinations for the fraud that they had become.

 In the process of his unparalleled exam reforms, a shadowy cartel reputedly behind widespread exam leaks in the past appears to have met its match.

It wasn’t long before he turned his attention to the rot at universities, starting with the audit which has exposed monumental failures.

Each university has been directed to respond to the failures identified by coming up with remedial action plans within 30 days. Institutions which fail to act face closure.

Also in the spotlight is the Commission for University Education. As the main regulator and public trustee, they have the mandate and responsibility for licensing the establishment of universities as well as accreditation of such universities and programmes.

 Therefore, these breaches are an indictment of the extent of lethargy by the commission.

For any university system, the role of institutional image and institutional reputation in the formation of public goodwill cannot be underestimated or overlooked.