Trends that shaped higher education in 2018

For the first time in the history of university student politics, an unusual quiet preceded election in public institutions this year. As the amended 2016 Universities Act that provided for electing student leaders through electoral colleges came into force, there was considerable deviation from the notorious heated campaigns of past years.

The introduction of voting through a handful of students (delegates) behind closed doors was just one in many changes. Universities also faced the peculiar oddity of enrolling fewer freshmen as performance in KCSE plummeted for two consecutive years.