Kenya

Partners situated in Country

No partners are situated in this country.

Kenya in a nutshell

The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the northeast, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean running along the southeast border. The country is named after Mount Kenya, a very significant landmark and the second among the highest mountain peaks of Africa.

Source: Wikipedia's page on Kenya

Country education policy

In 1963 the Kenyan government promised free primary education to its people. This promise did not take effect until 2003. Citizens are expected to contribute to the education fund by paying fees, taxes, and labour services. After contributing, most parents did not have the money to pay for their children’s education and were subsequently locked out of the school system.

Teachers strike often due to irregular payment of their wages. The teachers were responsible for collecting fees payments from student, with their wages being held until all fees were collected. Many children were forced to drop out of school simply because they could not afford it. Teachers would often send children home during the final exams in order to pressure parents into paying the fees.

Now that education is free, attendance has increased and there is a shortage of teachers and classrooms with children not getting sufficient attention from teachers due to the overcrowding of classrooms. This is a result of both children attending that could not afford to before, and children being taken out of lower-tier private schools in order to take advantage of free education. This has created demand for low cost private school where parents that could afford to pay the fees can send children to learn in a better environment.

Some believe that a solution for the overcrowding in schools is to create more vocational training programs in order to create alternative routes to employment.

Kenya introduced the current 8-4-4 system in 1985. This means that grades one through eight are in primary, grades nine through twelve are in secondary, and then graduates spend four years in university. The 8-4-4 system was created to help those students who do not plan to pursue higher education. It has helped reduce the drop out rates and help those that leave primary school find employment.

The growth of Kenya's education sector has exceeded expectations. After the first university was established in 1970, five others have been created. The demand for higher education has resulted in the formation of many private universities.

…

Although Kenya has its own universities, some parents choose to send their children to different countries. Many believe that the United Kingdom has the best universities, and that it would be a great opportunity for their children to attend a university there. Kenyan universities are also more difficult to get accepted to due to extremely high demand for higher education and not nearly enough room in the universities.

The Kenyan government is slowly, but surely working to make education in Kenya better. The first twelve years of school are now free, although this has introduced the issue of overcrowding that now needs to be dealt with. The funding from the UK will help reconstruct some of the schools and hopefully make them a better learning environment.

Source: Wikipedia’s page about Kenyan education

Country education system

Wikipedia’s page about Kenyan education

Higher education

Kenya Higher Education Profile, by the Boston College Center for International Higher Education (CIHE)

Universities in Kenya

Public Universities

1. Kenyatta University - Kahawa, Nairobi
2. Moi University - Eldoret
3. Nairobi University - Nairobi
4. Egerton University - Njoro, Nakuru
5. Maseno University - Maseno, Kisumu
6. Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology - Juja, Thika
7. Kenya Armed forces technical college (KAFTEC)-Nairobi
8. Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology - Kakamega
9. Kenya Polytechnic University College - Nairobi
10. kenya Technical Teachers College - Nairobi
11. Kimathi University College - Nyeri

Private Universities

1. Africa Nazarene University – Kajiado
2. Aga Khan University, Highridge, Nairobi
3. Catholic University of Eastern Africa CUEA - Karen, Nairobi
4. Daystar University - Hurlingham, Nairobi
5. East Africa School of Theology - Nairobi
6. Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK)
7. Gretsa University – Thika
8. Kabarak University - Kabarak, Nakuru
9. KCA University-Ruaraka, Nairobi
10. Kenya Highlands Bible College - Kericho
11. Kenya Methodist University (KEMU) - Meru
12. Kiriri Women's University of Science & Technology (KWUST) - Westlands, Nairobi
13. Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (N.E.G.S.T.) - Karen, Nairobi
14. Nairobi International School of Theology [NIST] - Kilimani, Nairobi
15. Pan Africa Christian University - Nairobi
16. Scott Theological College - Machakos
17. St. Paul's University Theological College - Limuru
18. Strathmore University - Nairobi
19. United States International University (USIU-A) – Kasarani, Nairobi
20. University of Eastern Africa, Baraton - Eldoret
21. Mt Kenya universityThika

Colleges in Kenya

Africa college of social work - KCB plaza, Jogoo road St. Andrew's Pre-Medical College - Mumbasa, Mumbasa Nairobi Institute Of Business Studies - Cooperative Bank House Nairobi Institute of Technology - Westlands Alphax College, Eldoret Amani College AUGAB Computer College, Garissa Augustana College - Kasarani, Nairobi Australian Studies Institute (AUSI), Westlands Nairobi Bandari College – Mombasa Baraton College – Baraton, Nandi Cenral Kapsabet Baraton Teachers' Training College,Nandi Cenral Kapsabet Career Training Centre, Nairobi Century Park College, Machakos Coast Institute of Technology College of Management Sciencies, Nairobi CBD Compugoal College, Nairobi Computer Pride Training Centre - Nairobi Cornerstone Training Institute - Nairobi Digital Resource Center (DRC) - Karama Estate, Nakuru East African School of Aviation - Embakasi, Nairobi East Africa School Of Journalism(EASJ)Jamuhuri show ground East African School of Media Studies, Nairobi Eldoret Polytechnic - Eldoret Elgon View College - Eldoret Government Training Institute (GTI), Mombasa Graffins College - Westlands, Nairobi Great Lakes University, Milimani Kisumu Gretsa University, Thika Gusii Institute of Technology, Kisii Hemland Computer Institute – Thika (Thika Arcade 5th Floor) Hi-tec Institute of Professional Studies, Mombasa CBD Holy Rosary College - Tala Institute of Advanced Technology, Loita House, Loita Street, Buruburu, Nairobi Institute of Advanced Technology Campus, Westlands Institute of Zaburi Technologies -{Nairobi} {CBD} Inter-Afrika Development Institute - NACICO Plaza 4th Floor Nairobi International college of Kenya, Nairobi/Machakos InterWorld College, Nairobi Kabete Technical Training Institute, Kabete Kagumo College Kamagambo Teachers College - Sare Kamagambo, Rongo Kenya College of Communications Technology - Mbagathi, Nairobi Kenya Forestry College, Londiani Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA) - Kabete Kenya Institute of Development Studies (KIDS) Nairobi Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), Nairobi Kenya Institute of Mass Communication - South C, Nairobi Kenya Institute of Professional Studies - Nairobi Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) - Kasarani, Nairobi Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development (KISWCD) - CBD, Nairobi Kenya Medical Training Centre (KMTC) Kenya Polytechnic University College, Nairobi CBD Kenya School of Monetary Studies - Ruaraka, Nairobi Kenya School of Professional Studies (KSPS) - Parklands, Nairobi Kenya Science Teachers College - Jamhuri, Nairobi Kenya Technical Teachers College – Gigiri, Nairobi Kenya Utalii College - Nairobi Kenya Water Institute - South C, Nairobi Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute - Naivasha Kericho Teachers College – Kericho Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology – Kiambu Kigari Teachers College – Embu Kilimambogo Teachers College - Kilimambogo Kima International School of Theology (KIST) - Kima, Western Province of Kenya Kimathi Institute of Technology - Nyeri Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute - Riruta, Nairobi

Kisii College (Egerton Campus) – Kisii Kisumu Polytechnic - Makasembo, Kisumu Kitale Technical Institute, Kitale Machakos Institute of Technology – Machakos Mawego Technical Institute, Kendu Bay Meru Technical Institute - Meru Migori Teachers college, Migori Moi Institute of Technology - Rongo, Migori Moi Institute of Technology, Rongo Mombasa College – Mombasa Mombasa Polytechnic – Mombasa Mombasa Technical Training Institute (MTTI) – Mombasa Mosoriot Teachers College – Eldoret Murang'a Institute of Technology – Murang’a Nairobi Institute of Technology - Westlands Nairobi Technical Training Institute Narok Teachers College – Narok Narok Teachers Training – Narok National Youth Service Engineering Institute - Nairobi Nairobi Aviation College, Nairobi Nkabune Technical Institute Oshwal College - Parklands, Nairobi. Pan African School of Theology (PAST) - Nyahururu, Kenya PREMESE Africa Development Institute, Vision Plaza, Msa Rd. Nairobi Railway Training School - South B, Nairobi Ramogi Institute of Science & Technology Regional Training Institute - CBD, Nairobi Riccatti Business College of East Africa Rift Valley Institute of Science & Technology - Nakuru Rift valley Technical Institute - Eldoret Rochester Business School - View Park Towers, Nairobi Sagana Institute of Technology Pioneer's Training Institute -Nairobi, Umoja 1, Mutindwa junction School of Professional Studies - Parklands, Nairobi Shalom Information Technology Center, Shalom House, Off Ngong Road, Nairobi Shanzu Teachers College - Shanzu, Mombasa Skynet Business College - CBD, Nairobi Star Media Institute - South B Estate, Southgate Ctr 1st Floor, Nairobi Starnet College - Nairobi Stonebic College - Westlands, Nairobi St Mary's school of clinical medicine, (Mumias) SMA Swiss Management Academy- New Muthaiga, Nairobi Tambach Teachers Training College - Kerio Valley, Rift Valley Tangaza College Taznaam Tutorial College - Nairobi The Kenya Polytechnic, Nairobi The Regional Institute of Business Management, Nairobi CBD Thika Advanced Institute of Science and Technology – Thika, Landless Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu Universal Group of Colleges - Nairobi CBD Vision Institute of Professionals (Nairobi & Mombasa) Thika Institute of Technology - Thika Royal Institute of Applied Sciences - Meru Nairobi Film School-Kipande Road(opp National Museum of Kenya) Motion City international -Multimedia school (Nairobi Kenya) Naivasha Computer & Business Studies College (Naivasha Kenya) Bible College of East Africa; Kasarani, NAIROBI Mt Kenya University;General Kago Road,THIKA Rehoboth College (Nairobi, Ngumo area) Eagle College of Management Studies Rift Valley Institute Of Science & Technology, Nakuru. Rift Valley Technical Traning Institute St.Joseph Vocational Training Centre Mlolongo. Emanex Computer College, Kahawa Elix Centre of Informatics, Lokichar-Turkana. Regional Institute of Business Management Studies – {Nairobi} {CBD} {Pioneer House)

Sources:

• Wikipedia’s page on Kenyan Schools and Universities
• Government’s web page on Education

Administration and finance

The facilities in some public universities are so small that when incoming freshman arrive most of the upper classmen have to be sent home for a while to make room. Universities, like primary schools, lack the funds that are needed. There are not nearly enough computers, and labs are small and unequipped. Some students will pay a little more to go to private universities because they do not want involved with the competition for admission. Also, private universities have better facilities and computer labs.

The UK Government is giving Kenya seven billion shillings (ninety-seven million US) to help support the free education system. The extra money will be used to improve the health programs in all schools. Also, it will be used in purchasing books and learning materials for all of the schools. The money will also go towards expanding secondary education and universities. Reconstruction will occur in classrooms and improvements in water and sanitation facilities.

Source: Wikipedia’s page about Kenyan education

Quality assurance

“The Commission wishes, through this Website, to present an overview of higher education in Kenya and to inform the public of the quality assurance mechanisms which have been put in place in the sector.”

“The Commission of Higher Education developed the Universities (Establishment of Universities)(Standardization, Accreditation and Supervision) Rules, 1989 (PDF)), which provide for the establishment and accreditation of Universities. Accreditation in Kenya means public acceptance and confirmation evidenced by award of a Charter, which a university meets and continues to meet the standards of academic excellence set by the Commission. For any institutions to be accredited, the Commission must be satisfied that the institution concerned has adequate physical, human, library and financial resources, viable relevant academic programmes and sound structure of governance.”

The Guidelines can be downloaded online.

Sources:

• The Commission of Higher Education (EN)
• Establishment of Universities)(Standardization, Accreditation and Supervision) Rules, 1989 (PDF)
• Public Universities Inspection Board

There is also the Kenya National Examinations Council but at first glance it’s not clear if this is meant for HEIs.

Country's HEIs in the information society

Source: Partnership for Higher Education in Africa (PHEA) - Educational Technology Initiative: report on Kenya (PDF - 14 pages)

Virtual initiatives in HE

African Virtual University (AVU) is located in Kenya. More info to follow

References

1. Government of Kenya – official web site
2. Government’s web page on Education
3. Ministry of Education
4. Wikipedia's page on Kenya
5. Wikipedia’s page about Kenyan education
6. Kenya Higher Education Profile, by the Boston College Center for International Higher Education (CIHE)
7. Wikipedia’s page on Kenyan Schools and Universities
8. Wikipedia’s page about Kenyan education
9. The Commission of Higher Education (EN)
10. Guidelines for Commission of Higher Education Accredidation
11. Establishment of Universities)(Standardization, Accreditation and Supervision) Rules, 1989 (PDF)
12. Kenya National Examinations Council
13. Public Universities Inspection Board
14. Partnership for Higher Education in Africa (PHEA) - Educational Technology Initiative: report on Kenya (PDF - 14 pages)

---

> Countries