UoN tops university debts with Ksh.13.2B as MPs raise alarm over Ksh.72B pending bills

Kenya’s public universities are facing a financial storm, with Parliament’s Education Committee warning of a looming crisis.

A massive pending bill burden—now at Ksh.72.2 billion—is dragging universities down, with Treasury allocations described by Members of Parliament (MPs) as a mere drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the crisis.

The universities with the highest accumulated debts include the University of Nairobi, now facing Ksh.13.2 billion in pending bills; the Technical University of Kenya at Ksh.11.1 billion; Kenyatta University with Ksh.10.6 billion; and Egerton University at Ksh.10.1 billion.

"What is each and every university having to ensure that they take care of the pending bill?" asked the Education Committee chairperson, Julius Melly.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok responded, “That is why we are here pleading with you to ensure that we get the right budget."

The crisis goes deeper. The committee flagged the allocation of funds to capital projects, noting that projects over 70% complete are receiving less money, while new projects are being prioritised.

"We need to know—why can't we just finish the old projects first so that we can start working on new ones? Because at this rate, we cannot finish projects,” stated Teso South MP Mary Emase.

Lawmakers are also probing why some universities, like the University of Eldoret and the Open University, received more funds than they requested in the budget policy statement.

Meanwhile, the Higher Education Loans Board is also feeling the pinch, with a budget allocation of Ksh.41.1 billion for student loans against a requirement of Ksh.76.3 billion, leaving a deficit of Ksh.35.1 billion.