Bill seeks to end public funding for Kenya’s private universities

A new amendment bill introduced in parliament this week proposes major changes to university funding and student placement in Kenya.

The Universities (Amendment) (No.3) Bill, 2023 would abolish all public funding for private universities and bar the national student placement service from assigning students to private institutions. Supporters say the bill aims to safeguard public funds, while critics argue it limits student choice.

Introduced Wednesday, the bill would amend sections of the 2012 Universities Act governing university finances and the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).

“The principal object of the bill is to amend the Universities Act…to abolish funding of private universities using public funds,” the bill’s memorandum states.

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Specifically, the proposed legislation would remove provisions allowing the Universities Fund Board of Trustees to issue grants and loans to private universities. It would also delete clauses directing the trustees to develop funding criteria for private schools.

Additionally, the bill seeks to bar KUCCPS from placing students sponsored by the government at private institutions.

Public universities have faced chronic underfunding, contributing to staff strikes and student protests in recent years. Private institutions, which have expanded rapidly, enroll a minority of students but charge higher tuition.

The Universities Fund receives government appropriations, donations and income from investments. It provides general financing to public universities and has issued some private school grants.

If passed, the bill would limit the fund’s expenditures to public institutions only.