Public universities have been suspended from establishing satellite campuses by education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.
Matiang’i’s announcement comes slightly a few month after Kisii University was embroiled in a tug of war with Commission for University Education (CUE) after the commission ordered for the closure of ten of its thirteen satellite campuses.
Speaking in his office on Tuesday, Matiangi said the move will allow the institutions to focus on using the limited resources channeled by the government in a prudent manner.
“I have ordered all public universities to desist from establishing more campuses across the country," said Matiang'i.
"As a ministry, we want them to use the limited resources given to them by the government in a prudent manner,” he said.
Matiang'i said the move will also ensure public institutions offers quality education without focusing on making profits.
“We cannot hide anymore that many of these institutions are out to make profits," said Matiang'i.
"The ministry of education will not watch that happen. We want a quality education so the issue of quantity has no place in our society,” he added.
He challenged the institutions to consider improving facilities in the existing campuses.
He also directed CUE to carry out an audit in all public universities and recommend to each of them areas that need improvement failure to which they will be closed.
“I am of the opinion that the institutions concentrate on improving existing campuses. We don’t want the establishment of more campuses which are poorly equipped," said Matiang'i.
"I have directed CUE to carry out an audit and recommend to all public universities areas that need to be improved. Then, CUE will be at liberty to act on those that may fail to comply,” he said.