•Institutions Struggle with Financial Constraints Due to Delayed Disbursements
The Kenya Association of Private Universities (KAPU) has called on the government to expedite the payment of Sh50 billion in pending bills accrued since 2015 for government-sponsored students placed in 34 private universities.
Since the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) began assigning students to private universities in 2015, the government has been responsible for funding their education.
However, delays in disbursing the necessary funds have left private institutions struggling with severe financial challenges, affecting both academic programs and infrastructural development.
During a recent meeting in Mombasa, KAPU members acknowledged the importance of their collaboration with the government in expanding access to higher education and human capital development.
However, they expressed deep concern over the government’s failure to fulfill its financial obligations.
Call for Urgent Action
KAPU Chairman and Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Prof. Rev. Stephen Ngari, emphasized the urgent need for the government to clear the outstanding debt, stating that the delay has significantly impacted the operations of private universities.
“This has affected operations in private universities. We respectfully urge the Government of Kenya to expedite the settlement of the Sh50 billion pending bills,” said Prof. Ngari.
He highlighted that private universities play a crucial role in national development, not only by providing quality education but also by fostering job creation, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“By doing so, we contribute to job creation in various sectors of the economy, helping to reduce youth unemployment—a pressing issue that affects our national progress,” he added.
Private Universities Facing Financial Struggles
Prof. Washington Okeyo, Vice-Chancellor of Management University of Africa, echoed these concerns, noting that many private institutions have been forced to take loans to sustain their operations due to the government’s failure to remit the funds.
“Private universities have been providing free education to students placed in our institutions by the government. The Sh50 billion was meant to facilitate these students, but without it, universities are struggling financially,” stated Prof. Okeyo.
Despite these financial difficulties, Prof. Okeyo affirmed that private universities have continued to educate students and remain hopeful that the government will honor its commitments.
He revealed that Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Higher Education and Research, assured them that the government is committed to settling the debt once the pending bills verification committee completes its review.
“We are very hopeful and are appealing to the government to take this matter seriously. Even if they cannot clear the entire amount at once, settling it in installments would be a huge relief for private universities,” he added.
Future Plans and Policy Recommendations
During the meeting, private universities also discussed future plans, including preparations for the first batch of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) students, who are expected to transition to universities in 2029.
Prof. Henry Kiplangat, Vice-Chancellor of Kabarak University, noted that despite financial constraints, private universities are actively retooling their academic staff and revising curricula to align with CBC requirements.
“As private universities, we have hit the ground running and believe that by the time we receive the first cohort in 2029, we will be ready,” stated Prof. Kiplangat.
Additionally, KAPU welcomed the government’s approval of bridging programs for students who do not meet the minimum university entry requirements.
They also called for revisions to the 2014 standards set by the Commission for University Education (CUE) to align accreditation requirements with global best practices, particularly regarding land and library criteria.
Commitment to Collaboration and Innovation
Despite their financial struggles, private universities reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing Kenya’s higher education sector.
They pledged to strengthen collaborations in research, teaching, student supervision, conferences, grant applications, and staff and student exchange programs.
They also reiterated their dedication to supporting vulnerable students through scholarships and financial aid programs, ensuring that higher education remains accessible to all.
As private universities continue to play a vital role in the country’s education system, they urge the government to honor its financial commitments to sustain academic excellence and support Kenya’s broader socio-economic development.
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