The Commission for University Education (CUE) has vowed to take firm action against universities operating in the country illegally.
The Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Mike Kuria, has said that CUE has already flagged 15 universities operating without accreditation and is continuously working to ensure compliance among the remaining institutions of higher education.
Similarly, Prof. Kuria revealed that the commission has also stopped graduation ceremonies for two institutions that had been found to be operating without accreditation from the commission.
“We have had quite a number of cases of bogus universities. Actually, right now there are two cases that are pending in court because we have found them operating like that. And we are telling them that we will not allow institutions to operate in this country without valid accreditation, “he said.
Some of the blacklisted universities include Kenya Anglican University Kanyuambora in Embu; The East African University, Bredgate University and International University in Nyeri; Northwestern Christian University and Logos University in Kakamega; and Harvest Land University and Africa Talent University, both in Kisumu County.
De-listed colleges include Eldoret Bible College (Uasin Gishu), Al Munawarrah College (Mombasa), Grace of Life Bible College (Thika), African Theological Seminary(Kitale), Regions Beyond Ministry Bible College (Thika), Baraton College (Kapsabet), Breakthrough Bible College, Theophillus Theological College and Word of Faith Bible College (Vihiga).
Prof. Kuria is now urging prospective students to visit the CUE website to verify the accreditation status of the institution and the programs before getting enrolled.
“For the purposes of the citizens of this country, we are saying if you want to register for a programme in any institution, check whether that institution or program appears on the CUE website. If it doesn’t appear, do not register unless you get confirmation from us,” he said.
Prof. Kuria spoke in Nyeri during the handing over ceremony of the Letter of Interim Authority to Outspan Global University (formerly Outspan Medical College).With the letter, Outspan Global University becomes the 84th institution of higher learning in Kenya and it can start to offer degree programs in clinical medicine and community health, nursing, and psychology.
The CEO also dismissed concerns that the commission may be accrediting too many institutions of higher education, arguing that the new approvals were aimed at expanding access to quality higher education.
“Sometimes people raise the question of whether we are raising too many universities too fast, but I would like to say the problem is not the numbers; the problem would be the quality. As long as the quality of education is up to scratch, we do not have a problem with numbers. And that is why as the CUE we insist on making sure that the standards are met because we want to make sure that we safeguard the quality of education,” he said.
By Wangari Mwangi and Samuel Maina
