The Open University of Kenya, inaugurated by President William Ruto last year with the aim of transforming higher education, has been significantly impacted by the recent budget cuts across the government following the withdrawal of the finance bill.
Located at Konza Technopolis, the university’s development budget of Sh200 million has been entirely eliminated. Overall, the institution was allocated Sh670 million, with Sh470 million designated for recurrent expenses, according to documents presented to the education committee by the ministry.
As Kenya’s first virtual public learning institution, it provides students with the flexibility to study from home or their workplaces.
“The development budget was to facilitate the enhancement of the digital infrastructure so as to host an increased number of academic programmes,” reads the document.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyang’ala told the MPs that this will now affect the institution’s capacity to grow.
“Without additional support for diversification of its programmes, the growth of the University and its capacity to expand access to university education will be constrained,” she said.
In total, the varsity proposed an allocation of Sh1.59 billion to effectively fulfill its mandate meaning with the proposed allocation of Sh470 million for 2024/25 it has a deficit of Sh1.12 billion.
“The funding gap will constrain the diversification of the programs of the university to meet the growing demand for flexible learning at the university level,” she said.
President William Ruto, during the charter issuance ceremony on August 4, emphasized that the Open University of Kenya would strengthen public university capacity and ensure a 100 percent transition to higher education.
He highlighted the administration’s commitment to providing competitive, industry-driven education in line with the government’s economic transformation agenda.
The university, which began offering seven flagship programs in September of the previous year, includes Bachelor degrees in Data Science, Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Entrepreneurship and Business, Technology Education, and Economics and Statistics, as well as Postgraduate Diplomas in Learning Design and Technology and Leadership and Accountability.
It was established to improve access to higher education in Kenya through digital technology.
However, the university has been significantly impacted by recent budget rationalizations, with its development budget of Sh200 million completely eliminated following the withdrawal of the finance bill. Overall, the university had been allocated Sh670 million, with Sh470 million designated for recurrent expenditures.
In addition to the Open University of Kenya, around 22 other stalled projects at various public universities are also affected by the budget cuts. These projects, which are at approximately 60 percent completion, include upgrades to facilities, renovations, and ongoing constructions.
The lack of funding is expected to impact the implementation of presidential commitments for the financial year and hinder the settlement of legal liabilities faced by universities, potentially leading to further financial and legal challenges.
