UASU opposes planned privatisation of public universities

By Robert Mutasi

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has expressed opposition to plans by the government to privatize some of the public universities in the country. 

According to UASU National Vice Chairperson Cyprian Ombati, such a decision, if implemented, will be a sign of the government running away from its responsibilities.

Speaking during an interview with NTV on Monday, Ombati said that government should continue funding public universities.

"It is the prerogative of the government to fund public universities because they are state universities and therefore the sponsor is the taxpayer through government," he said. 

The UASU official further says it is wrong for the government to think it is better for it to privatize universities rather than support them.

"If you find a government trying to evade its responsibilities by privatising the university thinking they'll be run better, then there's a problem," argued Ombati. 

The unionist noted that the government was trying to bury its head in the sand from a matter that it can be able to handle within a minute. 

Ombati, who is also a lecturer at the University of Kabianga, has called upon the government to invest more in universities for the betterment of tomorrow.

"If you put proper money there, universities will be able to channel out graduates who will be able to go out to work and bring more tax," he suggested.

He has said that there is no way universities will generate money on their own without depending on the government. 

The UASU official further says privatization of universities will result in a low number of student enrolment.

In January, Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Mosea Kuria hinted at the plans to privatise some of the public universities as a way of addressing the financial challenges that they are currently facing.

He said he had already gotten in touch with some investors who have expressed willingness to partner with the government in the privatisation plan.

"I'm talking to international investors who are willing and ready to come and partner with our universities to privatise some of the universities, I'm not saying all," Kuria had said in a tweet dated January 27, 2023.

"The other government tried by regulating the number of students going to universities then we toyed around with the idea of scholarships for purposes of private students," he added.