development of university education in Kenya 1960-1989

As the title indicates, this paper is about the development of university education in Kenya since 1960. After analysing and showing the place of Kenyans in the University of East Africa (1963 – 1970), the paper zeroes in on the developments in university education locally in Kenya. It is shown in what follows that growth has been tremendous rising from one university college in June 1970 to four (4) full-fledged universities in 1989 with student population rising by leaps and bounds by more than 900%. The paper delineates the production of local highly educated manpower, the stimulation and promotion of intellectual and cultural growth, carrying out of research and dissemination of knowledge as the aims of university education in Kenya. Despite shortages of funds, these aims are being achieved. Indeed, the universities have become national industries. Although the universities in Kenya have not been at the forefront in cultural and ideological engineering, it is shown that many of their dons and students have left marks in their area. The paper also acknowledges the facts that as public institutions, Kenya universities have a much reduced academic freedom and autonomy. That university products have to undergo further training outside the university to enable them enter certain professions, also point to the same end. Moreover, whereas there are many prospects in university education in Kenya, there are equally serious problems facing that eduction. These include lack of accommodation and messing facilities, a big back-log of qualified students who cannot get university places locally, and student unrest which has perpetually played havoc to university and personal property. Equally disturbing are the increasing unemployment among the university graduates and the poor terms of service for university workers. While attempts have been occasionally made to solve these problems no lasting solutions have really been had. Now read on to ge the real feel of the paper.