Moi University has resolved to shut down a number of its satellite campuses as part of a strategy to cut down on costs and improve education standards.
Speaking during the university's graduation, the Vice-chancellor, Prof Isaac Kosgei, opened up about planned reforms in a bid to ensure financial stability.
The reforms will include the scaling down of some of its campuses and harmonizing of some programmes offered by the institution.
“We have set in motion a number of reforms to put the university back to a good, healthy financial position,” reiterated Kosgei.
Moi University's wage bill of Ksh4.69 billion is the third largest coming after Kenyatta University at Ksh5.6 billion and the University of Nairobi at Ksh8.7 billion.
The large bill is pegged to the institution's large workforce consisting of both teaching and non-teaching staff.
Moi University handed over Odera Akang’o campus in Yala, Siaya County, to Maseno University in July, 2021.
In 2016, it closed its Kericho and Nakuru campuses in response to a government directive on education standards in tertiary institutions.
Humphrey Njuguna, the university council's chair, disclosed that the university was financially strained after missing out on a total of Ksh15 billion from Treasury.
He stated that the institution of higher learning has its eyes set upon resource mobilisation and other income-generating activities.
Njuguna revealed that the university was engaged in apple farming, planting apple trees on 50 acres and plans to expand to 100 acres. It hopes to generate Ksh40 billion from the project in the next four years.
In July, the University of Nairobi announced restructuring plans which would see the merging of campuses and the abolishment of five deputy vice-chancellor offices.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu raised concern over a Ksh1.3 billion debt accrued by Kenyatta University which forced it to depend on short-term financial loans.
The institution struggled to remit taxes and pensions amounting to Ksh3.67 billion and other statutory deductions amounting to Ksh342.9 million.
