Kenya's public universities face serious money problems that could shut them down completely. Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala told university leaders they must make big changes fast. She spoke at a meeting with council heads and said bad management has created huge debts. The universities cannot pay their bills and workers keep going on strike. Many schools might have to close their doors forever.
Three major universities owe the most money to different groups. Kenyatta University owes 12.38 billion shillings to suppliers and government agencies. The University of Nairobi has debts of 12.22 billion shillings that keep growing. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology must pay back 9.13 billion shillings. These schools borrowed money from pension funds and tax collectors but cannot pay it back.
Government officials want universities to stop asking for help and start making their money. Education committee chairman Julius Melly said schools should find students who can pay fees. Universities need to create businesses and apply for research grants from other countries. Moses Kuria told university leaders they should think like business owners who run companies.
The government believes university bosses need better training to handle money matters. Kuria said vice chancellors should learn how successful phone company Safaricom makes profits. Officials want schools to use computer programs and artificial intelligence to create new ways of earning cash. Universities must change how they work or they will disappear completely.
Three major universities owe the most money to different groups. Kenyatta University owes 12.38 billion shillings to suppliers and government agencies. The University of Nairobi has debts of 12.22 billion shillings that keep growing. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology must pay back 9.13 billion shillings. These schools borrowed money from pension funds and tax collectors but cannot pay it back.
Government officials want universities to stop asking for help and start making their money. Education committee chairman Julius Melly said schools should find students who can pay fees. Universities need to create businesses and apply for research grants from other countries. Moses Kuria told university leaders they should think like business owners who run companies.
The government believes university bosses need better training to handle money matters. Kuria said vice chancellors should learn how successful phone company Safaricom makes profits. Officials want schools to use computer programs and artificial intelligence to create new ways of earning cash. Universities must change how they work or they will disappear completely.
