This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
Kenya's universities are facing a financial crisis, with many institutions struggling to stay afloat due to reduced student numbers.
Since 2016, when the Kenya National Examinations Council was overhauled, the number of students qualifying for university admission has shrunk significantly, from over 150,000 to fewer than 100,000 per year.
As a result, universities are finding it increasingly difficult to rely on tuition fees from local students, leading to the need for alternative revenue streams.
The University of Nairobi, Kenya's largest and oldest university, has taken a step in this direction by scrapping its Centre for Self-Sponsored Programmes, which managed revenues from privately sponsored students.
While austerity measures are necessary for fiscal discipline and efficiency, universities must break away from overdependence on local students and explore innovative income streams.
One potential solution is to tap into the demand for higher education across borders, by attracting international students and capitalizing on the university's infrastructural strength, quality of faculty, and reputation.
Reputable universities in the West have a substantial portion of their budgets supported by alumni, and Kenya's universities could learn from this model by reaching out to their alumni and private companies for support.
By diversifying their revenue streams and marketing their brands more aggressively, universities can ensure their financial stability and thrive in the long term.
