Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba (pictured) has outlined a series of measures being implemented to rescue the University of Nairobi (UoN) and Technical University of Kenya (TUK) from financial collapse.  

For UoN, these include enforcing fiscal discipline, engaging government support, and mobilising alumni contributions.  

Public universities are also collaborating with the Public Service Commission to develop standardised human resources frameworks. 

For TUK specifically, Ogamba reported a return-to-work agreement had been reached and plans were underway to offset pension arrears of Sh5 billion, with Sh1.2 billion already allocated in the 2025/2024 financial year. 

Ogamba revealed these interventions  amid tough questioning from the National Assembly’s Education Committee, where chairman Julias Melly demanded: “We need you to do a forensic audit of the circumstances that led the universities to be where they are today.” 

Rebecca Tonkei Narok woman rep), described TUK’s Sh12.9 billion debt as “questionable”, while Joseph Makilap (Baringo North) maintained the university would never recover until “cartels” were removed. 

The parliamentary inquiry stems from growing concerns that numerous universities are nearing collapse due to massive pending bills and perceived government inaction. Documents presented to the committee revealed alarming financial figures: UoN has accumulated Sh13 billion in pending bills, while TUK faces Sh12.9 billion in debts after struggling with financial challenges for 12 years. 

UoN’s debt breakdown includes Sh4 billion owed to the Kenya Revenue Authority, Sh7.7 billion in pension contributions, Sh25.6 million each for NSSF and housing levy payments, Sh20.8 million to Chuna Sacco, Sh4.5 million to insurance companies, and Sh351.8 million in bank loans.