Gov’t to Privatize Some Kenyan Public Universities to Keep Them Afloat

The government has revealed plans to privatize a number of public universities in Kenya in a bid to keep them afloat.

Investment, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said the move is aimed at strengthening their financial stability and restoring their former status as centers of excellence.

He indicated that nearly all publicly-owned higher learning institutions in the country are grappling with debts running into billions of shillings, adding that the local market’s supply of education has outpaced its demand.

Kuria said he is in negotiations with foreign investors who are ready to partner with local universities to strengthen their financial position.

“We have to agree that a lot of universities in this country are in terrible shape. We need to privatize some of our universities and I am currently in talks with international investors who are keen to partner with local universities. We need to ensure that our universities go back to being centres of excellence,” Kuria said.

The cabinet secretary said the government will take advantage of the fact that the country has one of the best educational systems in the world by entering the global market.

“CS Machogu and I will work to establish the actual demand for universities in the local market. We want to match America in terms of being the centre of excellence for international education,” Kuria added.