Kenyan universities are in a crisis. Learning has been paralysed by a strike called by lecturers who are demanding better terms for their labour.

Some, such as Moi University, are on their deathbeds due to mismanagement and looting by top officials.

Universities have become citadels of corruption, ineptitude and tribalism. While some are sagging under heavy debt, matters have been complicated by a largely ambiguous funding model.

The new higher education funding model was introduced in May 2023 as part of President William Ruto’s education reforms. The model, which categorises students into different financial bands based on their perceived needs, has been the subject of criticism.

However, its implementation has been marred by accusations of unfairness and opaqueness.

The government has set up committees to review the funding model, focusing on aspects such as appeals arising from the categorisation of students into eligibility bands, the structure of the loans and the cost of university programmes.

The model’s reliance on family finances effectively puts an extra burden on lower-income households. This has raised concerns that it might end up locking students from poor backgrounds out of university education.

But it is the issue of mismanagement that poses an existential threat to universities – ranging from leadership wrangles at the University of Nairobi and a cash crunch at Moi and Egerton.

That is why we support the call by MPs for the removal of vice-chancellors overseeing the collapse of universities.

The lawmakers’ call comes as learning at Moi has been paralysed by a strike called by lecturers over non-payment of salaries amounting to about Sh12 billion.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating alleged embezzlement of more than Sh2.2 billion at the university through fraudulent infrastructure projects.

A document tabled in Parliament recently revealed that 23 universities are on the verge of collapse from heavy debts, with the total debt burden across all institutions now hitting a record Sh76 billion.

The University of Nairobi had the highest debt (Sh18 billion), Technical University of Kenya (Sh10.367 billion), Egerton University (Sh10.363 billion), Kenyatta University (Sh9.538 billion), and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Sh8.857 billion).