This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
Published on October 7, 2019, the ongoing reforms in public universities are timely and critical in addressing systemic weaknesses that have left them crippled.
From misuse of funds to failure to pay taxes and remit statutory deductions, inability to pay lecturers on time, and duplication of courses, the universities have abdicated their duty of creation and dissemination of knowledge.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has admitted that most institutions are being run in a kamikaze style, leaving millions of students wasted and billions of public funds stolen or misused.
He has ordered the universities to clean themselves up, risking shutdown if they fail to comply.
It is refreshing to see institutions taking the cue, with the University of Nairobi leading the way by scrapping 40 irrelevant courses.
Moi University has followed suit, announcing the discontinuation of about 30 programmes.
These reforms are crucial for a sector where thousands of students rely on universities to gain appropriate skills for well-paying jobs or start-ups.
Thousands of academic and non-academic employees also depend on the institutions for their daily bread.
The government has anchored its development programmes on the universities' ability to produce well-grounded graduates who can drive economic growth.
To achieve these expectations, universities must be beyond reproach, citadels of professionalism and high standards, and in robust financial health.
The Commission for University Education must assume a central role in the reforms, adopting a take-no-prisoners management style to ensure institutions toe the line.
However, the reforms must not be punitive to lecturers, but rather provide opportunities for them to utilize their specialities, experience, and talent in areas where they are tenable.
