Education CS Fred Matiang’i has cautioned Kenyans pursuing degrees in foreign countries, saying holders will not be accredited locally if the institution’s education system is not at par with Kenyans standards.

Matiang’i, who was speaking during the unveiling of a 10 point plan for reforming the higher education sector, said that plans were underway to ensure that higher education standards are raised across the East African region.

“As you are aware, Tanzania did an audit and 16 universities were closed down. Rwanda also just did an audit and five universities were shut. We just did our audit and we shall go to any lengths to ensure standards are maintained,” said Matiang’i.

“We hope Uganda will follow suit because it would be useless for Kenyans to study there and get useless degrees that will not be beneficial to them. We are not going to let anyone bring mediocre papers in our countries, they will keep it within their borders”, he said.

Matiang’i Orders Closure of Two Kenyan Campuses in Kigali

The CS also announced the closure of two campuses of two local public universities in Kigali, saying they were set up illegally.

The campuses are for Kenyatta University (KU) and the Jomo Kenyatta University of science and technology (JKUAT).

Early this year, Matiang’i had also warned that Universities which give papers to unqualified students will be shut and their certificates recalled.

“We are going to take action. It will be a difficult and painful reform. But it is necessary. I hope the public will understand and support us,” Matiang’i said.

The drastic measures are part of ongoing reforms in the education sector.