Presbyterian University within the Nairobi CBD (Photo / nation.co.ke)
The Commission for University Education (CUE) has recommended the closure of a private Christian Universities while two others have been given a year to put their house in order.A report submitted to the acting Education Secretary on January 22, recommended that a letter of interim authority awarded to Presbyterian University of Eastern Africa be revoked.The letter has also called for an audit to the activity of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and the Kenya Methodist University (KeMU). The letter has recommended that the two restructure their financial operations within a year or face an imminent shut down involving nullification of their chatters.The report points out conflict of interest between the Universities and the church and required them to address the issue within 3 months.It also points out on university staff being intimidated since they lack of unions.KeMU workers reported being intimidated and not being promoted because they were not unionised,” the report notes.“CUEA, Presbyterian University of East Africa and KeMU should stop engaging the service of consultants, particularly in the governance. The consultants reflect a creation of a new governance organ that has no legal basis and whose costs are sinking the institutions into more debts. KeMU was advised by its consultant to take Sh6 billion from a funding company in China but...it is in no position to pay the loan,” quotes the report.Private Universities in Kenya have been receiving government sponsored students for the last two years. The report has recommended that the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement service stops sending students the the Universities.Last year, Education Cabinet Secretary said that Universities which have surpassed the period for interim authority which is 8 years would have their letters revoked.