Unions oppose state plan to privatise public universities

Three university staff bodies in Kenya, the Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and KUDHEIHA Workers, have opposed the proposal to privatise public universities, writes Winfrey Owino for The Standard.

A fortnight ago, Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria revealed that there were plans by the government to privatise the public institutions and that talks with international investors were underway. “I am in talks with international investors who are willing and ready to come and partner with our universities to privatise some of them. I am not saying all,” he said.

In a statement on Sunday 5 February, the university workers jointly argued that commercialising higher education would pose a challenge to the 100% transition policy which seeks to give all children 12 years of access to schooling. While shifting blame to the state for failing to invest in quality higher learning, the staff unions also say the move will deny learners from poor or rural areas a chance to pursue education.
Full report on The Sunday Standard site