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Kenya

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Partners situated in Country

No partners are situated in this country, but one of our International Advisory Committee members is located in this country.

Kenya in a nutshell

Map of Kenya, originally from the CIA web site

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.


The capital city is Nairobi, Kenya's official language is English while the national language is Swahili.


Kenya is a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President is both the head of state, of government and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly.


Kenya has an estimated population of 34 million people with approximately six million people living in the urban areas. It has a diverse population comprising of 42 ethnic groups. Kenya is 582,646 sq km2 and it is the world's 47th largest country.


Kenya comprises eight provinces which are headed by a Provincial Commissioner (centrally appointed by the president): Central Province, Coast Province, Eastern Province, Nairobi Province, North Eastern Province, Nyanza Province, Rift Valley Province, Western Province. They are subdivided into districts, then into divisions, then into locations and then into sublocations. The City of Nairobi has the status of a full administrative province. The government supervises administration of districts and provinces. Local governance in Kenya is practised through local authorities.


Sources:

Country education policy

Although the Kenya Constitution guarantees citizens rights, it is silent on education as a basic right and need. Read the Constitution of Kenya.


In 1963 the Kenyan government promised free primary education to its people. Citizens were expected to contribute to the education fund by paying fees, taxes, and labour services while most parents did not have the money to pay for their children’s education and were subsequently locked out of the school system. This promise did not take effect until 2003. In 2007 the government issued a statement declaring that from 2008, secondary education would be heavily subsidised, with the government footing all tuition fees.


But 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 creat alternative routes to employment.


The growth of Kenya's education sector has exceeded expectations, also for higher education: after the first university was established in 1970, five others have been created and the demand for higher education has resulted in the formation of many private universities. But 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 there is 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. The UK announced in 2006 that:

The UK would be providing a £55m grant to support implementation of the Ministry of Education’s five year plan, the Kenya Education Sector Support Programme (2005-2010).
The UK has contributed £35m to the education sector in the past five years through the Strengthening Primary Education Programme. The support has assisted the Ministry of Education to help children get into and stay in school through the development of a simplified and cheaper primary curriculum; the provision of textbooks and learning materials in all schools; training for all primary teachers which has improved lesson planning, classroom practice and enjoyment of lessons by students; implementation of a successful large scale HIV/AIDS prevention programme in primary schools and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems.
Source: UNGEI Kenya Press Releases - UK announces major support for Education in Kenya


The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) strives to make all Kenyans literate and its vision is Quality Education for Development. The MoEST has set specific targets against key priorities:

  1. Universal Primary Education (UPE) by 2005 and Education for All (EFA) by the year 2015;
  2. Achievement of Transition rate of 70% from Primary to Secondary from the current rate of 47% by 2010;
  3. Enhanced access, equity and quality in Primary and Secondary Education supported through capacity building for 45,000 education managers by 2005, and construction / renovation of physical facilities/equipment; and
  4. Developing a National Strategy for technical and vocational education and training in 2004, leading to the rehabilitation of physical facilities and equipment and making sure that Vocational and Technical Institutions are appropriately equipped by 2010
Source: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST)


Educational Institutions:

  • Teachers Service Commission which takes care of registering, recruiting, employing, assigning, remunerating, promoting, transferring, disciplining, delegating teachers and it has the function to Compile, publish, amend the Code of Regulations for Teachers. It's goal is to to keep under review standards of education, training, fitness to teach appropriate to persons entering the service.
  • Kenya Institute of Education
  • Public Universities Inspection Board which lists all sessional papers, parliament acts such as the Education Act, draft legislation, information on Kenya universities and tertiary institutions, reports, news ...
  • Kenya National Examination Council is the national body responsible for overseeing national examination in Kenya for primary and secondary education.
  • Commission for Higher Education: assures accreditation of HEIs


Relevant Laws and Acts:


Sources:

Country education system

Kenya's education system is a three to four tier system. In 1985 Kenya introduced the current 8-4-4 system:

  • Primary education: 8 years: age 6-13 (free and compulsory)
  • Secondary education: 4 years: age 14-18(subsidized for students in Day Schools and the Government provides fees guidelines to all public schools)
  • Higher education: 4 years: age 19-21 (subsidized for those selected through the Universities Joint Admission Board)


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 to find employment.


The system is silent on the pre-primary education, which makes four tiers. It lasts 3 years and targets children from age three to five and is an integral component of the education system as it is a key requirement for admission to Standard One (First Grade). It is also called preschooling, kindergarten or early childhood education.


Primary school age is 6/7-13/14 years. At the end of primary education, pupils sit the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), which determines those who proceed to secondary school or vocational training. It is free, but school uniforms and books are not provided by the government.


There are three types of secondary schools:

  1. Private schools: mostly offer British O-levels, followed by A-levels or the International Baccalaureate with the exception of a few schools that follow the American system. A few private schools offer the KCSE program alongside foreign systems giving students a choice of which to follow, e.g. Saint Mary's School, Nairobi.
  2. Government-aided public schools (mostly boarding schools): more selective and only one out of four children are accepted and acceptance is based on a child’s score on the Kenya Certification of Primary Education (KCPE). The public secondary schools are funded by the Government or communities and are managed through a Board of Governors and Parent Teacher Associations.
  3. Harambee schools: make up 75 percent of all secondary schools in the country and are less selective. Students who score lower on the KCPE exam attend harambee schools, trade schools, or drop out. The facilities in these schools are not as good as the government-aided ones and often lack books, qualified teachers, desks, etc.


The Kenya National Examinations Council is responsible for the Kenya Certificates for the schools (primary and secondary), adult education and business education. Its mission is to objectively test and evaluate the curriculum to enhance and safeguard globally acceptable certification standards and its vision is the efficient testing and evaluation for quality education

Source: Kenya National Examinations Council


Source: Original jpeg on: Original image on Aideducational International web page on Kenya education system. Original image link


Source:

Higher education

There is a national examination at the end of Form Four in secondary education: the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), which determines those proceeding to the universities, other professional training or employment.


The Joint Admission Board (JAB) is responsible for selecting students joining the public universities. Other than the public schools, there are many private schools in the country, mainly in urban areas. Similarly, there are a number of international schools catering for various overseas educational systems.


Middle level Colleges are two or three year colleges that offer certificate, Diploma and Higher National Diploma qualifications. These colleges offer Technical hands-on skills in various fields such as Engineering, Medical Sciences, education, computer Science etc. They include Teacher Training colleges (TTCs), Kenya Medical Training colleges (KMTC), Kenya Polytechnic, Mombasa Polytechnic, Eldoret polytechnic, Kenya Institute of mass communication and many others. All these institutions are set up by various acts of parliament,


Sources:


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 university - Thika

Colleges in Kenya

  1. Africa college of social work - KCB plaza, Jogoo road
  2. St. Andrew's Pre-Medical College - Mumbasa, Mumbasa
  3. Nairobi Institute Of Business Studies - Cooperative Bank House
  4. Nairobi Institute of Technology - Westlands
  5. Alphax College, Eldoret
  6. Amani College
  7. AUGAB Computer College, Garissa
  8. Augustana College - Kasarani, Nairobi
  9. Australian Studies Institute (AUSI), Westlands Nairobi
  10. Bandari College – Mombasa
  11. Baraton College – Baraton, Nandi Cenral Kapsabet
  12. Baraton Teachers' Training College,Nandi Cenral Kapsabet
  13. Career Training Centre, Nairobi
  14. Century Park College, Machakos
  15. Coast Institute of Technology
  16. College of Management Sciencies, Nairobi CBD
  17. Compugoal College, Nairobi
  18. Computer Pride Training Centre - Nairobi
  19. Cornerstone Training Institute - Nairobi
  20. Digital Resource Center (DRC) - Karama Estate, Nakuru
  21. East African School of Aviation - Embakasi, Nairobi
  22. East Africa School Of Journalism(EASJ)Jamuhuri show ground
  23. East African School of Media Studies, Nairobi
  24. Eldoret Polytechnic - Eldoret
  25. Elgon View College - Eldoret
  26. Government Training Institute (GTI), Mombasa
  27. Graffins College - Westlands, Nairobi
  28. Great Lakes University, Milimani Kisumu
  29. Gretsa University, Thika
  30. Gusii Institute of Technology, Kisii
  31. Hemland Computer Institute – Thika (Thika Arcade 5th Floor)
  32. Hi-tec Institute of Professional Studies, Mombasa CBD
  33. Holy Rosary College - Tala
  34. Institute of Advanced Technology, Loita House, Loita Street, Buruburu, Nairobi
  35. Institute of Advanced Technology Campus, Westlands
  36. Institute of Zaburi Technologies -{Nairobi} {CBD}
  37. Inter-Afrika Development Institute - NACICO Plaza 4th Floor Nairobi
  38. International college of Kenya, Nairobi/Machakos
  39. InterWorld College, Nairobi
  40. Kabete Technical Training Institute, Kabete
  41. Kagumo College
  42. Kamagambo Teachers College - Sare Kamagambo, Rongo
  43. Kenya College of Communications Technology - Mbagathi, Nairobi
  44. Kenya Forestry College, Londiani
  45. Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA) - Kabete
  46. Kenya Institute of Development Studies (KIDS) Nairobi
  47. Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), Nairobi
  48. Kenya Institute of Mass Communication - South C, Nairobi
  49. Kenya Institute of Professional Studies - Nairobi
  50. Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) - Kasarani, Nairobi
  51. Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development (KISWCD) - CBD, Nairobi
  52. Kenya Medical Training Centre (KMTC)
  53. Kenya Polytechnic University College, Nairobi CBD
  54. Kenya School of Monetary Studies - Ruaraka, Nairobi
  55. Kenya School of Professional Studies (KSPS) - Parklands, Nairobi
  56. Kenya Science Teachers College - Jamhuri, Nairobi
  57. Kenya Technical Teachers College – Gigiri, Nairobi
  58. Kenya Utalii College - Nairobi
  59. Kenya Water Institute - South C, Nairobi
  60. Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute - Naivasha
  61. Kericho Teachers College – Kericho
  62. Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology – Kiambu
  63. Kigari Teachers College – Embu
  64. Kilimambogo Teachers College - Kilimambogo
  65. Kima International School of Theology (KIST) - Kima, Western Province of Kenya
  66. Kimathi Institute of Technology - Nyeri
  67. Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute - Riruta, Nairobi
  1. Kisii College (Egerton Campus) – Kisii
  2. Kisumu Polytechnic - Makasembo, Kisumu
  3. Kitale Technical Institute, Kitale
  4. Machakos Institute of Technology – Machakos
  5. Mawego Technical Institute, Kendu Bay
  6. Meru Technical Institute - Meru
  7. Migori Teachers college, Migori
  8. Moi Institute of Technology - Rongo, Migori
  9. Moi Institute of Technology, Rongo
  10. Mombasa College – Mombasa
  11. Mombasa Polytechnic – Mombasa
  12. Mombasa Technical Training Institute (MTTI) – Mombasa
  13. Mosoriot Teachers College – Eldoret
  14. Murang'a Institute of Technology – Murang’a
  15. Nairobi Institute of Technology - Westlands
  16. Nairobi Technical Training Institute
  17. Narok Teachers College – Narok
  18. Narok Teachers Training – Narok
  19. National Youth Service Engineering Institute - Nairobi
  20. Nairobi Aviation College, Nairobi
  21. Nkabune Technical Institute
  22. Oshwal College - Parklands, Nairobi.
  23. Pan African School of Theology (PAST) - Nyahururu, Kenya
  24. PREMESE Africa Development Institute, Vision Plaza, Msa Rd. Nairobi
  25. Railway Training School - South B, Nairobi
  26. Ramogi Institute of Science & Technology
  27. Regional Training Institute - CBD, Nairobi
  28. Riccatti Business College of East Africa
  29. Rift Valley Institute of Science & Technology - Nakuru
  30. Rift valley Technical Institute - Eldoret
  31. Rochester Business School - View Park Towers, Nairobi
  32. Sagana Institute of Technology
  33. Pioneer's Training Institute -Nairobi, Umoja 1, Mutindwa junction
  34. School of Professional Studies - Parklands, Nairobi
  35. Shalom Information Technology Center, Shalom House, Off Ngong Road, Nairobi
  36. Shanzu Teachers College - Shanzu, Mombasa
  37. Skynet Business College - CBD, Nairobi
  38. Star Media Institute - South B Estate, Southgate Ctr 1st Floor, Nairobi
  39. Starnet College - Nairobi
  40. Stonebic College - Westlands, Nairobi
  41. St Mary's school of clinical medicine, (Mumias)
  42. SMA Swiss Management Academy- New Muthaiga, Nairobi
  43. Tambach Teachers Training College - Kerio Valley, Rift Valley
  44. Tangaza College
  45. Taznaam Tutorial College - Nairobi
  46. The Kenya Polytechnic, Nairobi
  47. The Regional Institute of Business Management, Nairobi CBD
  48. Thika Advanced Institute of Science and Technology – Thika, Landless
  49. Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu
  50. Universal Group of Colleges - Nairobi CBD
  51. Vision Institute of Professionals (Nairobi & Mombasa)
  52. Thika Institute of Technology - Thika
  53. Royal Institute of Applied Sciences - Meru
  54. Nairobi Film School-Kipande Road(opp National Museum of Kenya)
  55. Motion City international -Multimedia school (Nairobi Kenya)
  56. Naivasha Computer & Business Studies College (Naivasha Kenya)
  57. Bible College of East Africa; Kasarani, NAIROBI
  58. Mt Kenya University;General Kago Road,THIKA
  59. Rehoboth College (Nairobi, Ngumo area)
  60. Eagle College of Management Studies
  61. Rift Valley Institute Of Science & Technology, Nakuru.
  62. Rift Valley Technical Traning Institute
  63. St.Joseph Vocational Training Centre Mlolongo.
  64. Emanex Computer College, Kahawa
  65. Elix Centre of Informatics, Lokichar-Turkana.
  66. Regional Institute of Business Management Studies – {Nairobi} {CBD} {Pioneer House)


Sources:

Higher education reform

Administration and finance

The issue of overcrowded classes and high demand of university places is already addressed, but more specifically on higher education:


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.

Source: Wikipedia’s page about Kenyan education

Quality assurance

The Commission of Higher Education is responsible for the accredidation of Higher Education in Kenya and was established by the The Universities Act Cap 210B (DOC).


The Commission “developed the “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 Standards and Guidelines that stipulate the establishment, accreditation and governing of university-related matters:


Also, for the establishment of each University an Act is established, such as the Kenyatta University Act, 1985 (PDF).


In addition to the public universities there are also private universities in the country offering a range of degree programmes, which are supervised and controlled by the Commission for Higher Education.


Sources:

Country's HEIs in the information society

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


Towards the information society

One of the main priorities of the Government towards the realisation of national development goals and objectives for Wealth and Employment Creation was the e-Government, which the government committed to establish by June 2004. Effective and operational e-Government will facilitate better and efficient delivery of information and services to the citizens, promote productivity among public servants, encourage participation of citizens in Government and empower all Kenyans.

Source: e-Government

ICT Policy related documents:

COMMUNICATIONS (PDF)], 2006

Connectivity

Information society strategy

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)

Internal evaluation Kenya

> Countries

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