Kenya’s private universities are witnessing a surge in student enrollment, marking a significant turn in the country’s higher education landscape. According to recent data from the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), the upcoming academic year is set to see a remarkable increase in applications to private institutions, nearly doubling from the previous year’s figures.
A total of 18,557 students have applied for placement in private universities for the 2024 academic cycle, compared to 9,622 in 2023. This surge underscores the growing preference among learners for private higher education institutions, which now offer expanded opportunities and diverse academic programs.
Conversely, public universities admitted 134,743 students for the same academic year, indicating a robust demand for tertiary education across both sectors.
The shift towards private universities is partly attributed to the flexibility provided by the updated higher education funding model. Students now have the choice between public and private institutions for their academic pursuits, albeit with differing financial implications. Opting for a private university means forgoing government scholarships but retaining access to student loans, a choice increasingly favored by many aspiring undergraduates.
Dr. Patrick Mbataru from Kenyatta University highlighted the limited expansion opportunities within East Africa, prompting universities to explore options beyond their immediate environments. This exploration includes embracing private sector collaborations and expanding academic offerings to meet evolving student demands.
Mount Kenya University emerges as the top choice among students, with 3,226 placements out of a declared capacity of 6,103, followed closely by KCA University (2,074), Zetech (1,703), Kabarak (1,653), and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (1,218). These institutions not only attract high volumes of applicants but also contribute significantly to the diversification of Kenya’s higher education landscape.
Despite the surge in enrollment, challenges persist within the private university ecosystem. Some institutions, such as the International Leadership University, face difficulties in attracting applicants despite declaring available slots. This disparity underscores the varied dynamics within Kenya’s private education sector, influenced by factors ranging from institutional reputation to economic conditions and policy changes.
