President William Ruto launched the Open University of Kenya last year, with great expectations about the winds of change which were about to strike higher education. The institution is now one of the most affected in the recent budget rationalization across the government following the withdrawal of the finance bill 2023.
The Sh200 million development vote for the institution based at Konza Technopolis has been completely cut. Initially, the university had been allocated Sh670 million, with Sh470 million as recurrent funding. The development budget was meant to enhance digital infrastructure that would accommodate more academic programmes.
It is in this regard that Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyang’ala alluded to the effects of such cuts, saying, “Without additional support for diversification of its programs, the growth of the University and its capacity to expand access to university education will be constrained.” This was after the institution had pitched a budget of Sh1.59 billion to hit its targets, hence making it face a Sh1.12 billion deficit with the current allocation.
This university, the first public virtual institution in the country, enables students to further their studies from the comfort of their homes or workplace. The institution, since its charter ceremony on August 4, has been aimed at improving the capacity of public universities and ensuring a 100 percent transition into higher education. President Ruto assured his administration’s commitment to developing competitive and industry-driven education relevant to the Economic Transformation Agenda of the government.
Currently, it offers seven flagship programs, five degrees and two postgraduate diplomas, which include:
- Bachelor of Data Science
- Bachelor of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
- Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Business
- Bachelor of Technology Education
- Bachelor of Economics and Statistics
- Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Design and Technology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Accountability
Lack of funding will also hinder the implementation of presidential commitments and settling legal liabilities facing the universities. As Principal Secretary Inyang’ala puts it, “The absence of funding will lock out the possibility of universities settling these liabilities, which may lead to further financial difficulties and potential legal consequences.”
These are the financial challenges that greatly constraint the mission of the Open University of Kenya towards enhancing access to higher education through digital technology.