Silverio Omari
The Open University of Kenya, which President William Ruto inaugurated last year with promises of transforming higher education, is among the institutions hardest hit by recent government budget cuts.
Following the withdrawal of the finance bill, the university’s development budget of Sh200 million has been entirely eliminated. The institution, located in Konza Technopolis, had initially received a total allocation of Sh670 million, with Sh470 million designated for recurrent expenses, as outlined in documents presented to the education committee.
The university, Kenya’s first virtual public learning institution, was established to provide flexible learning opportunities from home or work. The scrapped development budget was intended to enhance digital infrastructure and support the expansion of academic programs.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyang’ala informed MPs that the reduction will hinder the university’s growth and limit its ability to broaden its program offerings. The university had requested Sh1.59 billion to effectively meet its goals, but with the revised allocation of Sh470 million for 2024/25, it faces a shortfall of Sh1.12 billion. This funding gap threatens the institution’s ability to diversify its programs and respond to increasing demand for flexible education.
During the charter presentation on August 4, President Ruto emphasized that the university would enhance public university capacity and support a full transition to higher education. He highlighted the administration’s commitment to providing competitive, industry-aligned education as part of its economic transformation agenda.
The university currently offers seven key programs, including five undergraduate degrees and two postgraduate diplomas. These include degrees in Data Science, Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Entrepreneurship and Business, Technology Education, and Economics and Statistics, along with postgraduate diplomas in Learning Design and Technology, and Leadership and Accountability.
The Open University of Kenya was established to increase access to higher education through digital means. However, the budget cuts also impact 22 other stalled projects across various public universities, which are at about 60% completion and include upgrades and renovations critical for improving the student experience.
Additionally, the absence of adequate funding will impede the execution of presidential commitments and hinder the universities’ ability to settle legal liabilities, potentially leading to further financial difficulties and legal issues.
Muthomi Ireri
