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Abstract:
This study is a historical study on Higher education in the wake of Devolution in Kenya: challenges and Mitigations. The study employed desk top and document review as a methodology of data collection and analysis. A critique of various books, articles and Manuscripts from different Authors was carried out by the researcher and work was also subjected to peer review. Kenya's decentralization is among the most rapid and ambitious devolution processes going on in the world, with new governance challenges and opportunities as the country builds a new set of county governments from scratch. The constitution of Kenya 2010 notably provided for a major devolution; not only of resources and functions, but also creating a whole new layer of county government. In this dispensation of change in Kenyan history, university education has not been left behind, with each of the 47 counties country over looking forward to establish at least one institution of Higher education. In addition the existing and older universities moving in speed to establish campus and branches in those counties with none or else seems to be fertile ground for growth of a university or universities. This study has found that; the major challenges facing universities being; Inter-university competition has been very high as large and old universities tries to outdo smaller, young and upcoming universities, With this cut throat competition, it has come up with it strengths and it challenges. On one hand, it has made university education in Kenya affordable, increased access and low the unit cost of university education while on the other hand has the following challenges, it has led to compromising Higher education quality, exam cheating is rampant, commercialization of Higher education, lack of standardization, use of poor/un-conducive learning environments, overstressed learning facilities, shortage of qualified teaching staff and use of unqualified teaching staff, unqualified student being enrolled, increased immorality and uncalled for student behaviours, reduced exchequer financing of higher education among many others. Among the mitigation, the government through the ministry of education has come up with stringent control measures to a level where some universities or their campuses and or their branches have been ordered to be closed. CUE has deregistered some Higher education institution and gazetted all registered Higher education institutions in Kenya.
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