Student numbers in Kenyan universities cross 600,000 mark
Despite this growth, CUE noted that most students are concentrated in public chartered universities. This has created an imbalance in student distribution across the sector.
Kenyan universities have witnessed a major rise in student population, with enrolment figures more than doubling over the past 12 years to surpass the 600,000 mark in 2024, a new report by the Commission for University Education (CUE) shows.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education, CUE attributed the sharp growth in student numbers to a policy that allows all students who meet the minimum entry criteria to join university.
The commission said this inclusive approach has contributed to a 152% increase in enrollment, from 240,551 students in 2012 to 606,488 in 2024.
"The rapid increase in student enrollment could be attributed to the government policy of opening access to all students who met the minimum admission requirements to be absorbed in the university," reads the report.
Another factor driving the growth, according to CUE, is the Privately Sponsored Students Programme (PSSP), widely known as Module II.
The commission said the programme gave more students the opportunity to access university education without relying on government sponsorship.
"The introduction of the privately sponsored students programme (PSSP) - Module II, contributed significantly to the increase in student numbers in universities," the commission said.
Despite this growth, CUE noted that most students are concentrated in public chartered universities. This has created an imbalance in student distribution across the sector.
"The largest proportion of the students are enrolled in public chartered universities, reflecting a skewed representation of students in the university education sector in Kenya," reads the report.
The commission also highlighted the expansion of university institutions as a defining feature of Kenya’s higher education sector over the past two decades.
The number of fully-fledged universities has more than doubled from 33 in 2012 to 67 in 2025.
In 2012, the country had seven public and 26 private universities.
By 2025, there are 38 public and 29 private institutions.
CUE added that 13 more institutions are in various stages of the accreditation process.
"This represents a 41% increase in 20 years, making the country ranked fifth, after Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Ghana in the number of universities," the commission said.
The commission maintained that university education is a key pillar in driving the country’s development goals.
It said institutions of higher learning play a vital role in building both technical and social capacity across different sectors.
"University education plays an important role in building capacity for the technical and social advancement of nations," the commission noted.
The report was presented to the committee in response to a request dated April 8, 2025, under reference number NA/DCC/EDUC/025/9052.
Lawmakers had asked for details on several aspects of university operations, including admissions, capacity, accreditation, quality assurance, and the main challenges facing regulation in the sector.
The MPs also demanded clarity on reports that some institutions were conducting graduation ceremonies without approval from the commission.
They further sought CUE’s input on how to curb the spread of fake academic certificates and the overall future of higher education in Kenya.
With over 600,000 students now enrolled in universities and more institutions seeking recognition, the commission's report underscores both the achievements and the concerns shaping Kenya's higher education landscape.